VEHICLE TAILGATE LOADING RAMP

Abstract

A tailgate ramp for use with the loading surface of a motor vehicle. The tailgate ramp is used assist in loading an object from a ground level surface to the loading surface or tailgate of a motor vehicle.

Description

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/807,809, filed Jul. 19, 2006, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to loading ramps used to load and unload motor vehicles. In particular, the present disclosure relates to portable tailgate loading ramps that are adapted to span the distance between a ground level surface and the tailgate of a motor vehicle.

SUMMARY

A tailgate loading ramp, in accordance with the present disclosure, includes a pair of elongated side rails that extend from a ground level surface to the tailgate of a motor vehicle. The side rails of the vehicle tailgate loading ramp are interconnected by a plurality of cross members. The loading ramp is portable and can be attached quickly to a motor vehicle tailgate to permit the loading and unloading of equipment such as lawn tractors, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Once the equipment is loaded and unloaded, the vehicle ramps can be placed into the bed of the motor vehicle for storage and transport.

In the illustrative embodiments, the vehicle tailgate loading ramp comprises an end support rail that includes an outwardly extending lip member. The lip member is adapted to support the loading ramp on the tailgate of the motor vehicle without causing damage to the painted finish of the vehicle. In order to prevent damage to the finish of the motor vehicle tailgate, the end support member is positioned inwardly from the side rails to prevent the end support rail from contacting the tailgate. Lateral support of the loading ramp is accomplished by the use of angled bumpers secured to the ends of the side rails. The bumpers, in combination with the lip member, cooperate to support the loading ramp on the motor vehicle tailgate and prevent the metal framework of the loading ramps from contacting the painted surface of the tailgate.

In the illustrative embodiments, the side rails are interconnected by cross members that are supported by lip members that extend along the length of the elongated side rails. The cross members include first and second ramped surfaces that aid in the transition of wheels, of a motorcycle, lawn tractor, or ATV, from one cross member to another. The cross members and end support member include a plurality of traction ribs that increase traction as equipment is transported across the loading ramp.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of tailgate loading ramps secured to an open tailgate of a motor vehicle, wherein the first loading ramp is spaced apart from the second loading ramp, each loading ramp having an end support rail that includes a lip member (shown in more detail in FIG. 6) coupled to the end support rail and adapted to support the loading ramp on the tailgate of the motor vehicle; the loading ramps further including a plurality of cross members connected at their ends to a pair of elongated side rails;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a portion of the tailgate loading ramp of FIG. 1 showing the lip member of the end support rail and bumpers, located at the ends of the side rails, engaging the tailgate of the motor vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the tailgate loading ramp of FIG. 2 with the lip member and bumpers engaging the tailgate of the motor vehicle;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the upper end of the loading ramp showing the end support rail and bumpers separated from the side rails and also showing the angled ramp surfaces on the cross members and end support rail;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the tailgate loading ramp of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the tailgate loading ramp taken along sectional lines 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing one of the cross members having angled side walls and being secured to one of the side rails and also showing the end support member including an outwardly extending lip that is adapted to engage the tailgate of the motor vehicle, FIG. 6 also showing one of the bumpers attached to the end of the side rail;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one of the side rails taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5, showing the position of the end support member with respect to the elongated side rail and further showing the end support member being supported on a lip of the elongated side rail that extends along the length of the elongated side rail;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the bumpers that is adapted to be coupled to the elongated side rails and includes an end wall that is adapted to engage the tailgate of the motor vehicle; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the lip of the end support member positioned on a top surface of an open motor vehicle tailgate and also showing the bumper of FIG. 8 engaging a side surface of the tailgate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A vehicle tailgate loading ramp 10 for use in loading and unloading motor vehicles is shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Loading ramp 10 is configured to span the distance between a ground level surface 14 and a tailgate 16 of a motor vehicle 18, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Loading ramp 10 includes a pair of elongated side rails 12 that are often used in pairs and are oriented to lie parallel with respect to each other and span the distance from ground level surface 14 to tailgate 16 of motor vehicle 18. Loading ramp 10 also includes an end support member 24 having a lip member 26 and bumpers 28, secured to side rails 12, as shown, for example, in FIG. 9. Bumpers 28 and lip member 26 are adapted to engage tailgate 16 of motor vehicle 18 to support an upper end 30 of loading ramp 10 and are designed to prevent damage to the painted surface of tailgate 16. Side rails 12 are interconnected by a plurality of cross members 20 having ramped surfaces that allow wheels of equipment being loaded into motor vehicle 18 to transition from one cross member 20 to another.

End support member 24 acts as the upper most cross member of loading ramp 10 and includes a first end 84 and a spaced apart end 86 as shown, for example, in FIG. 4. Ends 84, 86 of end support member 24 are positioned on lip members 44 of side rails 12 and are secured to lip members 44 by use of welding, fasteners adhesive, or by other suitable means. End support member 24 includes an inclined side wall 88, an opposing side wall 94, a top wall 90, and a bottom wall 92, as shown, for example, in FIG. 6. Bottom wall 92 of end support member 24 is supported by lip members 44 of side rails 12. Side wall 94 of end support member 24 is spaced inwardly from end 96 of side rails 12 to prevent contact with the surface of tailgate 16. End support member 24 also includes traction ribs 98, 100 that provides additional traction to assist in loading equipment into motor vehicle 18.

End support member 24 also includes a horizontal bridge member 102 that is parallel to top wall 90 and is secured to side wall 94, as shown, for example, in FIG. 6. Bridge member 102 is connected to lip member 26. Bridge member 102, at end 96 of elongated side rails, transitions into lip member 26, as shown, for example, in FIG. 6. Lip member 26 is angled downwardly from bridge member 102 in direction 104 to allow lip member 26 to rest upon tailgate 16 while the remainder of loading ramp 10 is positioned at an angle, as shown, for example, in FIG. 9. The thickness of lip member 26 decreases from bridge member 102 to end 106 to create a ramped surface, which assists in transitioning equipment from tailgate 16 onto loading ramp 10, as shown, for example, in FIG. 6.

Lip member 26 also includes a plurality of traction ribs 108 that assist in providing traction for the equipment being transported along the loading ramps 10, as shown, for example in FIG. 4. Underside 110 of lip member 26 may include a foam layer 103 or other resilient material to prevent damage to tailgate 16 of motor vehicle 18. Foam layer 103 works in conjunction with bumpers 28 to provide support along top 31 and edge 32 of tailgate 16 to prevent lip member 26 and side rails 12 from physically contacting tailgate 16 of motor vehicle 18.

Bumpers 28, best shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 8, include a tapered end wall 112 that is adapted to be positioned against edge 32 of tailgate 16. Bumpers 28 are manufactured illustratively from a polymer material, rubber, or other material that will not scuff the painted surface of tailgate 16. Bumpers 28 include a head portion 130 and a base portion 132. Head portion 130 includes tapered end wall 112, angled side walls 134, 135, top wall 136 and rear wall 138. Rear wall 138 of bumpers 28 is adapted to engage end wall 140 of side rails 12, as shown, for example, in FIG. 6.

Base portion 132 of bumpers 28 include a top wall 114, a spaced-apart bottom wall 116, and a pair of side walls 118, 120, as shown, for example, in FIG. 8. When base portion 132 of bumpers 28 are positioned within cavity 43 of side rails 12, top wall 114 of bumper 28 is positioned adjacent top wall 36 of side rail 12, bottom wall 116 is positioned adjacent bottom wall 38, and first and second side walls 118, 120 are positioned adjacent side walls 40, 42. Side walls 118, 120 each are formed to include an aperture 122 to permit bumpers 28 to be secured within cavity 43 of side rails 12 by use of fasteners or an adhesive. Bumpers 28 also include internal ribbing 124 to increase the durability of the bumpers 28.

The interaction of bumpers 28 with edge 32 of tailgate 16, is illustrated in FIG. 9. As can be seen, the only portions of the loading ramp 10 to that touch vehicle tailgate 16 are foam layer 103 of lip member 26 and end wall 112 of bumpers 28. Both the foam layer 103 and bumpers 28 are configured to prevent damage to the painted surface of tailgate 16 to avoid damage to factory finishes applied to tailgates of motor vehicles.

Loading ramp 10 includes a pair of elongated side rails 12 that extend from ground level surface 14 to tailgate 16, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. While loading ramp 10 is manufactured from aluminum in accordance with the illustrative embodiments, other suitable metallic, non-metallic, and composite materials may also be used. Each side rail 12 includes a boxed portion 34 having a top wall 36, an opposing bottom wall 38, and first and second side walls 40, 42, as shown, for example, in FIG. 7.

Each side rail 12 includes a lip member 44 that extends along the length of boxed portion 34, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2. Lip members 44 provide support for cross members 20 and end support member 24. Cross members 20 and end support member 24 are secured to lip members 44 by welding. It is contemplated that other suitable securing means can also be used including riveting, epoxy, bolts, or other fasteners.

Each side rail 12 is also formed to include a cavity 43 that is defined by the walls 36, 38, 40, 42, as shown, for example, in FIG. 7. Each cavity 43 located at the upper end 30 of side rails 12 is adapted to accept a bumper 28, as shown, for example, in FIG. 9. Bumpers 28 are configured to prevent side rails 12 and end support member 24 from contacting tailgate 16 of motor vehicle 18. Each side rail 12 also includes a guide member 48, as shown, for example, in FIG. 7. Guide members 48 extend from edge 46 of top wall 36. Guide members 48 extend along the length of each side rail 12 to assist in guiding equipment over loading ramps 10 to prevent equipment from falling off of loading ramps 10.

Cross members 20 are oriented perpendicularly to side rails 12 and are adapted to provide a support surface to support equipment being transported over vehicle tailgate loading ramp 10. Each cross member 20 includes a first end 64 and a spaced-apart second end 66, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4. Ends 64, 66 are designed to rest upon lip members 44 of elongated side rails 12. While the cross members 20 are manufactured illustratively from extruded aluminum, other suitable materials may be used, including composites, polymers, and other metals. Cross members 20 are secured illustratively to lip member 44 and side wall 42 by use of welding or other suitable means such as fasteners or epoxy.

Cross members 20 include a first inclined side wall 68 and an opposed second inclined side wall 70, as shown, for example, in FIG. 6. Cross members 20 also include a top wall 72 and an opposed bottom wall 74. Side walls 68, 70 of cross members 20 are configured to permit a wheel from an ATV, motorcycle, or lawn tractor to transition from a first to a second cross member 20 when traveling over loading ramp 10.

In order to increase traction, each of the inclined side walls 68, 70 include traction ribs 76 that extend along the length of the cross members 20, as shown, for example, in FIG. 6. Cross members 20 also include raised edges 78, 80 that are raised above top wall 72. Traction ribs 76 and raised edges 78, 80 allow the wheel of an ATV or lawn tractor to engage cross members 20 without slipping. Cross members 20 are welded along first and second side walls 68, 70, to side wall 42 of side rail 12 and, if necessary, along edge 82 of elongated lip 44 and bottom wall 74 of cross member 20. Cross members 20 are spaced close enough together so that a standard ATV or tractor tire traveling along the length of loading ramp 10 contacts an adjacent cross member 20 before leaving the previous cross member 20 when moving across ramp 10.

In use, tailgate loading ramp 10 is first removed from the bed of motor vehicle 18 and positioned upon ground level surface 14. Lip member 26 and bumpers 28 are positioned on edge 23 of tailgate 16 of motor vehicle 18 as shown, for example, in FIG. 9. Properly oriented, loading ramp 10 will retain its position. Once loading ramp 10 is positioned properly on tailgate 16 of motor vehicle 18, ATVs, wheelbarrows, lawn tractors, motorcycles, dirt bikes, and the like can be transported across loading ramp 10 into motor vehicle 18. When the user is done loading motor vehicle 18 with equipment, loading ramp 10 may be removed from tailgate 16 and stored in the bed of motor vehicle 18.

Claims

1. A tailgate ramp for use with a motor vehicle having a loading surface, the tailgate ramp adapted to span the distance between a ground level surface and the loading surface of the motor vehicle to allow for the loading and unloading of equipment, the tailgate ramp comprising

first and second substantially parallel side rails each having a first end and a spaced apart second end, the first end adapted to be positioned to lie near the ground level surface when in use,

a plurality of spaced apart cross members that span between and are coupled to the side rails to provide a transport surface to allow the equipment to be transported across the tailgate ramp,

an end support member coupled to the second end of the side rails, the end support member including an outwardly extending lip adapted to engage the loading surface to support the tailgate ramp on the loading surface of the motor vehicle, and

first and second bumpers coupled to the second end of each of the side rails, the first and second bumpers are adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle to prevent the side rails from contacting the loading surface of the motor vehicle.

2. The tailgate ramp of claim 1, wherein the end support member includes a first side wall facing toward an adjacent cross member and a second side wall opposing the first side wall.

3. The tailgate ramp of claim 2, wherein the second side wall is spaced inwardly from the second end of the side rails so that the second side wall does not contact the loading surface of the motor vehicle.

4. The tailgate ramp of claim 3, wherein the end support member includes a bridge that interconnects the lip to the end support member.

5. The tailgate ramp of claim 4, wherein the lip is coupled to the bridge at a downwardly sloping angle.

6. The tailgate ramp of claim 5, wherein the lip decreases in thickness as the lip extends from the bridge.

7. The tailgate ramp of claim 1, wherein the side rails are tubular and include an interior cavity.

8. The tailgate ramp of claim 7, wherein the bumpers include a head portion and a base portion.

9. The tailgate ramp of claim 8, wherein the base portion of the bumpers are adapted to be positioned within the internal cavity of the side rails.

10. The tailgate ramp of claim 9, wherein the head portion of the bumpers includes a tapered end wall that is adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle when the lip is resting on the loading surface of the motor vehicle.

11. The tailgate ramp of claim 1, wherein the side rails each include an elongated lip adapted to support the cross members and the end support member.

12. The tailgate ramp of claim 11, wherein the cross members include first and second sloped walls that provide a support surface to allow the equipment to transition from one cross member to the next.

13. The tailgate ramp of claim 12, wherein the cross members include a top wall that interconnects the first and second sloped walls.

14. The tailgate ramp of claim 13, wherein the cross members include ribs adapted to enhance the traction of the cross members.

15. A tailgate ramp for use in loading and unloading equipment from a loading surface of a motor vehicle, the tailgate ramp comprising

first and second tubular side rails adapted to extend from a ground level surface to the loading surface of the motor vehicle when the tailgate ramp is in use,

a plurality of cross members extending between the side rails, the cross members adapted to provide a support surface to allow the equipment to travel across the tailgate ramp,

an end support member adapted to be coupled to the side rails, the end support member having a bridge member and lip coupled to the bridge, the lip adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle to support the loading ramp during use, and

first and second bumpers coupled to the side rails and adapted to engage the loading surface to provide support when the tailgate ramp is engaged with the loading surface of the motor vehicle.

16. The tailgate ramp of claim 15, wherein the side rails include an internal cavity.

17. The tailgate ramp of claim 16, wherein a portion of the bumpers are adapted to be secured within the internal cavity of the side rails.

18. The tailgate ramp of claim 17, wherein the bumpers include a sloped side wall that is adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle.

19. The tailgate ramp of claim 15, wherein the side rails include an elongated lip adapted to support the cross members and the end support member.

20. The tailgate ramp of claim 16, wherein the side rails include a guide member that is adapted to aid in guiding equipment along the tailgate ramp.

21. A tailgate ramp for use in loading and unloading equipment from a motor vehicle having a loading surface, the tailgate loading ramp comprising

a pair of side rails having a first end adapted to engage a ground level surface and a second end positioned to lie near the loading surface of the motor vehicle when the tailgate ramp is in use,

a plurality of cross members adapted to be coupled to the side rails,

an end support member coupled near the second end of the side rails, the end support member having a first side wall facing the cross members and a second side wall opposite the first side wall, the second side wall spaced inwardly from the second end of the side rails so that the second side wall does not engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle, and

a lip member coupled to the end support member, the lip member adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle to support the tailgate ramp,

a pair of bumpers coupled to the side rails and adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle to provide support when the tailgate ramp is engaged with the motor vehicle.

22. The tailgate ramp of claim 21, wherein the end support member includes a bridge interconnecting the lip to the end support member.

23. The tailgate ramp of claim 22, wherein the lip is coupled to the bridge at a downwardly sloping angle.

24. The tailgate ramp of claim 23, wherein the lip decreases in thickness as the lip extends from the bridge.

25. The tailgate ramp of claim 21, wherein the side rails are tubular and include an interior cavity.

26. The tailgate ramp of claim 25, wherein the bumpers include a head portion and a base portion.

27. The tailgate ramp of claim 26, wherein the base portion of the bumpers are adapted to be positioned within the internal cavity of the side rails.

28. The tailgate ramp of claim 27, wherein the head portion of the bumpers includes a tapered end wall that is adapted to engage the loading surface of the motor vehicle when the lip is resting on the loading surface of the motor vehicle.

29. The tailgate ramp of claim 21, wherein the side rails include an elongated lip adapted to support the cross members and the end support member.

30. The tailgate ramp of claim 29, wherein the cross members include first and second sloped walls that provide a support surface to allow the equipment to transition from one cross member to the next.

31. The tailgate ramp of claim 30, wherein the cross members include a top wall that interconnects first and second sloped walls.

32. The tailgate ramp of claim 31, wherein the cross members include ribs adapted to enhance the traction of the cross members.