AU2022291510A1 - Ramp assembly and associated method - Google Patents

Abstract

P10766.AU Specification final - 21/12/2022 - 12 ABSTRACT A ramp assembly for installation to an open cargo area of a transport vehicle, via which a vehicle to be transported C'the transportable vehicle") can be loaded and transported by 5 the transport vehicle, the ramp assembly comprising: a base frame configured to sit on a bed of the cargo area; a platform supported by the base frame and comprising tracks on which lateral wheels of the transportable vehicle is loadable for transportation; and a guide disposed between the tracks configured to guide a front wheel of the 10 transportable vehicle during loading thereof. 1/6 Fgr1 Figure1I

Description

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Claims (6)

P10766.AU Specification final - 21/12/2022 - 10 CLAIMS:

1. A ramp assembly for installation to an open cargo area of a transport vehicle, via which a vehicle to be transported C'the transportable vehicle") can be loaded and transported by the transport vehicle, the ramp assembly comprising: a base frame configured to sit on a bed of the cargo area; a platform supported by the base frame and comprising tracks on which lateral wheels of the transportable vehicle is loadable for transportation; and a guide disposed between the tracks configured to guide a front wheel of the transportable vehicle during loading thereof.

2. The ramp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hoisting means operable to load the transportable vehicle onto the platform.

3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a guide ramp having a first end for engaging the ground and a second end that is alignable with the guide such that, during loading, the front wheel of the transportable vehicle is driven from the ground, up the guide ramp and along the guide.

4. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more loading ramps, each having a first end for engaging the ground and a second end that is removably securable to the platform such that, during loading, lateral wheels of the transportable vehicle are driven from the ground, up the loading ramps and onto the tracks of the platform.

5. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hoisting means comprises a winch for hauling the transportable vehicle onto the platform.

6. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transportable vehicle comprises a boat trailer with a boat loaded thereon, and wherein in use, the

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assembly is configured to substantially support the trailer and the boat over the bed of the cargo area of the transport vehicle.

7. A method of loading a vehicle to be transported ("the transportable vehicle") onto a transport vehicle, comprising: installing a ramp assembly according to any one of the preceding claims to an open cargo area of the transport vehicle; and loading the transportable vehicle onto the platform, during which loading a front wheel of the transportable vehicle travels up the guide of the ramp assembly.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, before loading of the transportable vehicle, securing loading ramps to the platform such that during loading, lateral wheels of the transportable vehicle are driven up the loading ramps and onto the tracks of the platform.

9. The method of claim 7 or 8, further comprising, before loading of the transportable vehicle, securing a guide ramp to the platform such that during loading, the front wheel of the transportable vehicle travels up the guide ramp to the guide of the ramp assembly.

10. The method of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the transportable vehicle comprises a boat trailer with a boat loaded thereon.

11. A ramp assembly for installation to an open cargo area of a transport vehicle, via which a vehicle to be transported C'the transportable vehicle") can be loaded and transported by the transport vehicle, the ramp assembly comprising: a base frame configured to sit on a bed of the cargo area; a platform supported by the base frame on which lateral wheels of the transportable vehicle is loadable for transportation; and a hoisting means operable to load the transportable vehicle onto the platform.

P10766.AU Specification final - 21/12/2022

Ramp assembly and associated method

Field of the invention Disclosed herein is a ramp assembly via which a vehicle to be transported is loadable onto a transport vehicle. Also disclosed herein is an associated method of using the ramp assembly.

Background Ramp assemblies are known for loading transportable vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles, onto transport vehicles, such as pickup trucks and other utility vehicles with open rear open cargoareas.

However, the loading process typically involves driving the transportable vehicle precariously up the ramp assembly and onto the transport vehicle. Unloading the transportable vehicle involves similarly risky and careful manoeuvring of the transportable vehicle.

During the loading and unloading processes, it is common for the transportable vehicle to be loaded inadequately and even fall off the ramp assembly. This may occur because the driver is largely contained within the transportable vehicle and thus cannot adequately see or judge whether the wheels of the transportable vehicle are properly aligned to be driven on or off the ramp assembly. Improper loading and unloading not only risks damaging the vehicles involved, but also poses serious safety hazards to vehicle operators, particularly if the transportable vehicle falls off the transport vehicle with the operator still in the transportable vehicle.

Additionally, existing ramp assemblies are not configured to be able to receive other transportable vehicles, such as trailers, such as boat trailers which may be loaded with boats, jet skis and the like. Such transportable vehicles are also typically not self drivable onto existing ramp assemblies. As such, boat trailers and the like are currently

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transported via towing behind the transport vehicle. However, if the boat trailer is being towed, then other transportable vehicles, such as campers or even a second boat trailer, cannot also be towed by the same transport vehicle. In this way, one is often limited to only being able to transport one of their two towable vehicles. Moreover, certain states and jurisdictions impose lower driving speed limits on transport vehicles hitched with a trailer.

While it may be possible to load a boat onto the roof of the transport vehicle (e.g., via roof racks), this is often done manually and only relatively small boats such as tinnies can be loaded in this way. Moreover, the small boat needs to be flipped over so that it is upside-down when loaded; this makes it difficult to unload the boat since it needs to be manually lowered and flipped back into an upright position.

There is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ramp assembly for installation to an open cargo area of a transport vehicle, via which a vehicle to be transported ("the transportable vehicle") can be loaded and transported by the transport vehicle, the ramp assembly comprising: a base frame configured to sit on a bed of the cargo area; a platform supported by the base frame and comprising tracks on which lateral wheels of the transportable vehicle is loadable for transportation; and a guide disposed between the tracks configured to guide a front wheel of the transportable vehicle during loading thereof.

The term transportable vehicle should be understood to include vehicles that cannot drive themselves, such as caravans and trailers.

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The ramp assembly may further comprise a hoisting means operable to load the transportable vehicle onto the platform. For example, the hoisting means may comprise a winch for hauling the transportable vehicle onto the platform.

The ramp assembly may also comprise a guide ramp having a first end for engaging the ground and a second end that is alignable with the guide such that, during loading, the front wheel of the transportable vehicle is driven from the ground, up the guide ramp and along the guide.

The ramp assembly may also comprise one or more loading ramps, each having a first end for engaging the ground and a second end that is removably securable to the platform such that, during loading, lateral wheels of the transportable vehicle are driven from the ground, up the loading ramps and onto the tracks of the platform.

In embodiments of the ramp assembly, the transportable vehicle comprises a boat trailer with a boat loaded thereon, and wherein in use, the assembly is configured to substantially support the trailer and the boat over the bed of the cargo area of the transport vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of loading a vehicle to be transported ("the transportable vehicle") onto a transport vehicle, comprising: installing a ramp assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention to an open cargo area of the transport vehicle; and loading the transportable vehicle onto the platform, during which loading a front wheel of the transportable vehicle travels up the guide of the ramp assembly.

The method may also comprise, before loading of the transportable vehicle, securing loading ramps to the platform such that during loading, lateral wheels of the transportable vehicle are driven up the loading ramps and onto the tracks of the platform.

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The method may also comprise, before loading of the transportable vehicle, securing a guide ramp to the platform such that during loading, the front wheel of the transportable vehicle travels up the guide ramp to the guide of the ramp assembly.

In embodiments of the method, the transportable vehicle comprises a boat trailer with a boat loaded thereon.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ramp assembly for installation to an open cargo area of a transport vehicle, via which a vehicle to be transported ("the transportable vehicle") can be loaded and transported by the transport vehicle, the ramp assembly comprising: a base frame configured to sit on a bed of the cargo area; a platform supported by the base frame on which lateral wheels of the transportable vehicle is loadable for transportation; and a hoisting means operable to load the transportable vehicle onto the platform.

Brief description of the drawings An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a boat trailer and boat loaded onto an embodiment of a ramp assembly installed to a transport vehicle; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the ramp assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the ramp assembly of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the ramp assembly of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a close-up view of a front of the ramp assembly of Figure 4; and Figures 6(a) and 6(b) form a sequence of rear perspective views of an embodiment of a ramp assembly being loaded with the boat and boat trailer of Figure 1.

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Detailed description Figure 1 shows a ramp assembly 2 secured to a utility vehicle 4, with a boat trailer 6 and boat 8 loaded onto the ramp assembly 2. As such, the utility vehicle functions as the transport vehicle 4 configured to transport the transportable vehicle, which, in this case, comprises the boat trailer 6 and boat 8 loaded thereon. Of course, the present ramp assembly 2 may be used to load a range of other transportable vehicles, including all terrain vehicles and trailers loaded with jet skis.

Figures 2 to 4 show a support frame 12 and platform 14 of the ramp assembly 2. The frame 12 may be formed from powder-coated aluminium members, though of course other sufficiently strong and preferably metallic members may be used.

The base of the frame 14 is defined by elongate members arranged to have a rectangular footprint. As such, the frame 14 is sized to sit securely on the bed of the open cargo area of the transport vehicle 4. Preferably, when securely installed and loaded to the transport vehicle 4, a tailgate thereof can be closed to help retain the assembly 2 in the cargo bed. As such, when installed and loaded, the ramp assembly 2, boat trailer 6 and boat 8 are supported substantially over the rear cargo bed area of the transport vehicle 4, and a rear of the transport vehicle is still free to hitch a second transportable vehicle to, such as a caravan, trailer, camper trailer or even a second boat trailer if two boats are to be transported.

Additional securement means, such as strapping 16, turnbuckles 18 and the like can be used to further secure the ramp assembly 2 to the transport vehicle 4 such that it is substantially restrained from movement relative to the transport vehicle 4 during loading, unloading and transportation of the transportable vehicle.

The assembly 2 also comprises a raised platform 14 upon which the transportable vehicle is loaded for transportation. The platform 14 is supported by the frame 12 via opposed pairs of uprights 10 and crossbars 11 thereof.

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In the Figures, the platform 14 comprises a pair of opposed lateral tracks 20, each configured to receive respective opposed wheels 22 of the boat trailer 6. Each track 20 comprises a relatively flat rearward portion 20a, a ramped middle portion 20b, followed by a flat forward portion 20c. Referring to Figure 1, in use, the rearward portion 20a may receive the opposed wheels 22 of the boat trailer 6. The forward flat portion 20c is configured to overlie a roof of the transport vehicle 4 and may help support a forward portion of the boat trailer 6.

When four-wheeled transportable vehicles are to be loaded, it is envisaged that the rearward portions 20a of the platform 14 may receive the rear wheels of the transportable vehicle, while the forward portions 20c of the platform 14 may receive the front wheels of the transportable vehicle. In loading the transportable vehicle, the front wheels may be driven or rolled up the ramped middle portion 20b to the flat forward portion 20c of each track 20.

In the Figures, each track 20 of the platform 14 has a ladder-like construction, wherein wheels 22 of the transportable vehicle can be rolled along rungs 24 thereof. Each track 20 also comprises an external guard 26 to help prevent wheels of the transportable vehicle from inadvertently rolling off the respective tracks 20.

The ramp assembly 2 may also include floor plates 28 which may be removably applied to the tracks 20 of the platform 14, each plate 28 being configured to receive respective wheels 22 of the transportable vehicle.

The ramp assembly 2 may also include a central longitudinal guide or channel 30 extending along the platform 14 between the two lateral tracks 20. The channel 30 is configured to receive a front wheel 32 of the boat trailer 6 (see Figure 1) so that during loading thereof, the trailer 6 is moved upwardly on the platform 14 along a straight path guided by the channel 30.

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Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show the boat 8 on the boat trailer 6 being loaded onto the ramp assembly 2 installed to the transport vehicle 4. In these Figures, the assembly 2 also includes a central ramp 34 and a pair of loading ramps 36 that are removably securable to the platform 14.

Each loading ramp 36 comprises a first end that is engageable with the ground, and a second end that is removably securable to a respective lateral track 20 of the platform 14 (e.g., via pins inserted through openings 38 at a rear of the platform 14). In use, each loading ramp 36 functions like an extension of a respective track 20 such that the ramp assembly 2 defines generally continuous lateral ramps extending from the ground up to the tracks 20 of the platform 14. In this way, the transportable vehicle can be driven or hoisted from the ground, along the loading ramps 36 and onto the tracks 20 of the platform 14.

Similarly, the central ramp 34 has a first end for engaging the ground and a second end that is removably engageable with the central guide channel 30 of the platform 14. In this way, the front wheel 32 of the boat trailer 6 can be rolled up the central ramp 34 and toward and along the central guide 30 during loading. Once the boat trailer 6 is loaded, the loading ramps 36 and central ramp 34 can simply be stored in the cargo area of the transport vehicle 4. In Figure 2, the central ramp 34 is simply positioned next to the central guide channel 30 of the platform 14.

The present ramp assembly 2 also comprises a hoisting means 40 operable to load the transportable vehicle onto the ramp assembly 2. The hoisting means 40 is also operable to assist with unloading of the transportable vehicle from the ramp assembly 2.

In the Figures, the hoisting means comprises an electric winch 40 secured to the assembly 2 (e.g., via framing thereof) between the lateral tracks 20 of the platform 14. In the Figures, the winch 40 is disposed toward a forward end of the assembly 2 and is beneath and aligned with the central guiding channel 30 of the platform 14.

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The windable cord, chain or cable 42 of the winch 40 is configured to extend down the central channel 30, and the free end 44 of the cable 42 is securable to the transportable vehicle to pull the vehicle onto the ramp assembly 2. For example, in the case of the boat trailer 6, the free end 44 of the cable 42 could be secured to an A-frame of the trailer 6.

The winch 40 may be powered by the transport vehicle 4 and controlled remotely. In this way, the transportable vehicle can be loaded onto the transport vehicle 4 without requiring an operator to directly drive the transportable vehicle. The operator can remain safe and outside of the transportable vehicle during loading, and can observe and ensure that the transportable vehicle is properly aligned with the ramp assembly 2 to be loaded thereon.

Referring to Figure 1, the ramp assembly 2 is constructed and configured such that when installed to the transport vehicle 4, the loaded transportable vehicle is tilted upwards at its front. In this way, if the transportable vehicle is unsecured from the ramp assembly 2 and/or the transport vehicle 4, the transportable vehicle would, under the influence of gravity, roll backwards and off the transport vehicle 4. This inclination to roll backwards is advantageous for unloading the transportable vehicle, particularly with assistance from the remote-controlled winch 40. Once the loading ramps 36 (and optionally the central ramp 34) are set up (as per Figures 6(a) and 6(b)), the transportable vehicle can be slowly unloaded from the ramp assembly 2 by gradually unwinding the winch 40, thereby allowing the transportable vehicle to slowly roll down the tracks 20 and the loading ramps 36. This allows for an unloading process that is safer and more controlled than a situation in which an operator sits in the transportable vehicle and is required to reverse the vehicle off the ramp assembly (which can be treacherous given the operator's inability to see whether the rear-most wheels of the transportable vehicle are aligned with the loading ramps).

Advantageously, the present ramp assembly 2 allows a single transport vehicle 4 to transport a first transportable vehicle (such as a boat trailer 6 with a boat 8 loaded

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thereon), and a second vehicle (such as a caravan or another trailer) which may be towed behind the transport vehicle 4. Upon arriving at one's desired destination, the towed vehicle may first be unhitched (e.g., the caravan may be unhitched from the transport vehicle 4 at the location where the caravan is to be parked). The transport vehicle 4 may then be driven to a location where the boat 8 is to be unloaded.

Many modifications of the above embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, rather than having removable loading ramps 36, it is envisaged they could simply fold and unfold from, or otherwise be telescopically associated with, the platform 20. Similarly, the central ramp 34 could simply slide out or unfold from the guide channel 30. Different pulley configurations and the like may be incorporated to assist the hoisting capacity of the winch 40. Figure 5 shows a pulley 46 incorporated toward a front of the platform 14. A rope or cable of the winch 40 extends forwardly from the winch 40, over the pulley 46 and toward the trailer 6 to draw the trailer 6 up onto the ramp assembly 2. In certain embodiments, it is envisaged that the ramp assembly 2 need not be configured to carry boat trailers and the like, and thus may not comprise the guide 30 for receiving a front wheel 22 of the boat trailer 6. The ramp assembly 2 may be one which comprises the frame 12, platform 14, and hoisting means 40, and optionally, the loading ramps 36.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

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