Double-acting truck door and ramp system

Abstract

A truck door system, the truck door system comprising: a truck having a cargo compartment; a first pivot device, the first pivot device being used to allow one or more doors to releasably pivot laterally and vertically relative to one of three outwardly facing side walls of the cargo compartment to serve as a door; a second pivot device, the second pivot device being used to allow the door to releasably pivot vertically relative to the bottom of the cargo compartment to serve as a ramp; and a device for coordinating the engagement and disengagement of the first pivot device and the second pivot device. When the first pivot device is engaged to allow the door to swing laterally and vertically relative to one of the outwardly facing side walls to continue to serve as a door, the second pivot device is disengaged, and when the second pivot device is engaged to allow the door to swing vertically relative to the bottom to serve as a ramp, the first pivot device is disengaged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of automobile doors and ramps, and in particular, the present invention belongs to the field of truck doors and ramps. Background Art

[0002] A truck with a cargo hold can be used to transport small to medium-sized loads. The load may vary from a small package that can be held in the hand to larger packaged items, furniture, building materials, and countless other goods. Typically, a truck has a single rear door that swings open to the side, or two doors that lock on the centerline of the vehicle and swing open to the side in opposite directions. Such one or more doors may alternatively be located on one side of the cargo hold. When one person unloads the cargo, the person can move the cargo to be delivered to a position near the door in the cargo hold. The person must then jump or walk down to the ground from the bottom of the cargo hold to lift the cargo that is transported by hand or with a cart, dolly or other means of transport out of the cargo hold. Although steps can be provided to assist in entering and exiting the cargo hold, this jump to ground level may be difficult for some people. Having two people participate in unloading allows one person to remain in the cargo hold and the other to stand on the ground to receive the unloaded cargo.

[0003] Sometimes, the cargo load is too large or too heavy for such a simple unloading process, and it is advantageous to employ some kind of ramp to facilitate the removal of the cargo from the truck. One or more persons may walk down the ramp with the cargo, a cart or trolley carrying the cargo may be guided down the ramp, or the cargo may be pushed down the ramp to slide the cargo to the ground. Ramps are also sometimes useful when the cargo is to be unloaded below or above the cargo hold floor. Obviously, many of the same factors that arise during the unloading process also apply when loading cargo into a truck. Typically, the ramp is stored below the cargo hold floor and pulled out to the rear of the truck. Some ramps may be flush with the cargo hold floor when deployed. Other ramps may be mounted so that they do not present a continuous surface with the cargo hold floor, thereby presenting a drop from the cargo hold floor to the ramp deployed at a lower distance.

[0004] Typically, ramps mounted below the cargo floor are manually pulled from their stowed position, although sometimes the ramp deployment is motorized. The weight of this pull-out ramp may cause difficulty for some users who lack sufficient strength or have difficulty manually deploying the ramp. In addition, as the ramp and its brackets become worn from use, misalignment issues or increased friction and resistance when the ramp is deployed may occur. Likewise, many of the factors that apply during ramp deployment will also apply when the ramp is stowed after use.

[0005] Therefore, since both a side-swinging truck door and a deployable ramp are useful in certain situations on a truck, it would be beneficial to provide both functions in a simplified structure, preferably with fewer separate parts. It would also be beneficial to reduce the weight issues, frictional drag and wear of the components involved in traditional ramp deployment. Summary of the invention

[0006] A new device has been developed that combines the functions of a door and a ramp in a freight car door. The door and the ramp comprise a single assembly. Using releasable pivoting means positioned generally orthogonally to one another, the door can be swung open sideways using a first pivoting means mounted adjacent the cargo compartment sidewall to allow ramp-free loading or unloading of cargo, or alternatively, swung downwardly on a second pivoting means mounted near the cargo compartment floor to form a ramp. Generally speaking, both releasable pivoting means can be latched when the door and ramp are fully closed. The releasable pivoting means may comprise one or more hinges.

[0007] Typically, a truck is provided with one or more pillars at the rear of the cargo compartment for structural support. These pillars may include the boundaries of an opening in the outwardly facing sidewall of a cargo compartment in which one or more doors are installed. The side latchable hinges may be mounted to a single pillar, or the side latchable hinges may be mounted to spaced pillars. When the door is to be opened or the ramp is to be deployed, one of the releasable hinges is latched or engaged, and the other releasable hinge is unlocked or disengaged to allow this dual door and ramp function. The movement of the ramp that rotates vertically relative to the truck on the second hinge may be controlled by a coil spring, a pillar auxiliary mechanism, an electric motor or by other suitable control devices. A cable or other suitable connection device between the ramp and the control device allows the ramp to be opened and closed smoothly under control. A single door and ramp unit may be used, or two doors and ramp units installed side by side. In addition, if necessary, a plurality of first hinges and second hinges may be used. One or more conventional latches may be used to releasably retain a single door to the side wall of the truck, or to releasably retain two side-by-side doors together when the doors are closed. In the latter case, the two doors are mounted side-by-side and releasably latched at the centerline of the cargo opening. There are three outwardly facing side walls. One or more doors may be mounted in the rearwardly facing side wall of the truck, or in one or both lateral side walls of the truck, or in any combination thereof.

[0008] In one main aspect of the invention, a truck door system comprises: a truck having a cargo compartment, the cargo compartment comprising a top, a bottom and three outwardly facing side walls; at least one door mounted in an opening in at least one of the outwardly facing side walls, the outwardly facing side wall comprising an outwardly facing side and an inwardly facing side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, and an upwardly facing side and a downwardly facing side, all directions being defined when the at least one door is closed; a first pivot device, the first pivot device being used to allow the at least one door to be releasably pivoted laterally and vertically relative to one of the outwardly facing side walls pivoting to serve as a door; a second pivoting device, the second pivoting device being used to allow the at least one door to releasably pivot vertically relative to the bottom to serve as a ramp; and a device for coordinating the engagement and disengagement of the first pivoting device and the second pivoting device, so that when the first pivoting device is engaged to allow the at least one door to swing laterally and vertically relative to one of the outward-facing side walls of the cargo hold to continue to serve as a door, the second pivoting device is disengaged, and when the second pivoting device is engaged to allow the at least one door to swing vertically relative to the bottom of the cargo hold to serve as a ramp, the first pivoting device is disengaged.

[0009] In another aspect of the invention, when the second pivoting means is engaged so that at least one door functions as a ramp, movement of the ramp is controlled by a coil spring, a strut assist mechanism, an electric motor or other suitable control means.

[0010] In another aspect of the invention, a cable is connected between an exterior-facing side of the at least one door and one of the coil spring, the strut assist mechanism, the electric motor, or other suitable control device.

[0011] In another aspect of the invention, the first pivoting means comprises at least one first releasable hinge.

[0012] In another aspect of the invention, two doors are mounted side by side in a frame which is releasably mounted to the outwardly facing side wall and rotatably mounted to the base.

[0013] In another aspect of the invention, the frame includes two L-shaped brackets, which are releasably connected to each other adjacent the bottom and in the center of the opening, and when connected, the L-shaped brackets allow the doors to rotate horizontally to be used as doors or allow the doors to be opened and closed together to be used as a ramp, and when disconnected, allow either door to be rotated vertically to be used as a ramp alone.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of first releasable hinges are mounted between the frame and each of the doors.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, the at least one first latch is adapted to release the at least one door to rotate open and closed to function as a ramp.

[0016] In another aspect of the invention, at least one first releasable hinge is mounted between a first lateral side of at least one door and an adjacent one of the outwardly facing side walls of the cargo hold.

[0017] In another aspect of the invention, at least one second releasable hinge is mounted between a downwardly facing side of the at least one door and an adjacent bottom of the cargo hold.

[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, the at least one door further comprises a ramp flap hinged to the upward facing side of the at least one door, the ramp flap resting on the inward facing side of the at least one door when the at least one door is vertically oriented, and the ramp flap rotates outward to provide an extension to the at least one door when the at least one door is used as a ramp.

[0019] In another aspect of the invention, at least one door is mounted in the outwardly facing side wall at the rear of the cargo hold.

[0020] In another aspect of the invention, at least one door is mounted in the outwardly facing side wall at one side of the cargo hold.

[0021] In another aspect of the invention, a single door is releasably latched adjacent a side wall of the cargo hold.

[0022] In another aspect of the invention, two doors are mounted side by side and releasably latched at the centerline of the cargo hold opening.

[0023] Further features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic diagram of a truck with a double-acting door and ramp system.

[0025] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear of a truck with a double-acting door and ramp system.

[0026] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rear of the van showing the two doors deployed as ramps.

[0027] Figure 4 is a perspective diagram of a truck having multiple double-acting doors and a ramp system.

[0028] Figure 5 is a front and side view of a frame and door for a double acting door and ramp system.

[0029] Figure 6 is a perspective schematic diagram of a frame and door for a double acting door and ramp system with the door closed.

[0030] Figure 7 is a perspective representative view of the frame and doors for a double acting door and ramp system with the doors open to function as doors.

[0031] Figure 8 is a perspective diagram of the frame and doors for a double acting door and ramp system where one door is closed and one door is open to act as a ramp.

[0032] Fig. 9 is a perspective representative view of the frame and doors for a double-acting door and ramp system installed in an opening in a schematic cargo hold, with one door opening to function as a door and one door opening to function as a ramp.

[0033] Fig.10 is a perspective representative partial view of the frame and doors for a double acting door and ramp system with one door closed and one door open to act as a ramp.

[0034] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, claims or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in conjunction with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless these features are incompatible. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 is partially representative, as it shows a truck with one door deployed as a ramp, but the other door both in a closed position and open as a door. However, when installed on a truck, each door will typically only be closed, open as a door, or open as a ramp at any one time. Figure 2 One door is shown closed and the other door is open as a door on the left side of the figure and deployed as a ramp on the right side of the figure. Figure 3 is a representation of a user pushing a cart up two doors deployed as a ramp. Figure 4 Again it is representative as it shows doors mounted on the side of the van and on the rear of the van, both opened to function as doors and deployed together to function as a ramp. Figure 5 is a side view of a representative door installed in a frame, as further described below. Figures 6 to 8 and Fig.10 Again, these are representative, as they show conceptual doors mounted in a frame. They are not meant to represent doors as they would actually appear in a van. Similarly, Fig. 9A representative frame is shown with a door mounted in a structure representing a cargo hold. This is not intended to represent a double-acting door and ramp system as it actually appears in a freight car, but is provided to simplify the description.

[0036] The truck 1 comprises a cargo hold 3 having a top 5, a bottom 7, outwardly facing side walls 9, 11 and 13, and an opening 15 in one of the outwardly facing side walls. At least one door 17, which can also be used as a ramp, is mounted in the opening 15. The door 17 has an outwardly facing side 19, an inwardly facing side 21, a first lateral side 23, a second lateral side 25, an upwardly facing side 27, and a downwardly facing side 29. When the door 17 is closed, these positions are directionally defined.

[0037] The door 17 may be mounted directly to the cargo hold 3, or alternatively, may be mounted to a frame 51 which in turn is mounted to the cargo hold 3, as further explained below. In either case, the first pivoting means 31 allow the at least one door 17 to be releasably pivoted laterally and vertically relative to one of the outwardly facing side walls 9, 11, 13 for use as a door. Additionally, the second pivoting means 33 allow the at least one door 17 to be releasably pivoted vertically relative to the bottom 5 for use as a ramp.

[0038] The at least one door may comprise a single door or two doors mounted side by side.One or more doors may be mounted in any of the side walls 9, 11, 13 facing outwards.

[0039] In the first embodiment, at least one first releasable hinge 32 is mounted between the first lateral side 23 of at least one door 17 and an adjacent one of the outward-facing side walls 9, 11, 13 of the cargo hold 3. The first releasable hinge 32 is adapted to allow the door 17 to swing open horizontally sideways. In addition, at least one second releasable hinge 34 is mounted between the downward-facing side 29 of the at least one door 17 and the adjacent bottom 7 of the cargo hold 3. The second releasable hinge 34 is adapted to allow the door 17 to swing and vertically upward and downward to serve as a ramp. When the first releasable hinge 32 is engaged to allow the at least one door 17 to swing laterally and vertically relative to one of the outward-facing side walls 9, 11, 13 of the cargo hold 3 to continue to serve as a door, the second releasable hinge 34 is disengaged. Conversely, when the second releasable hinge 34 is engaged to allow the at least one door 17 to swing vertically relative to the bottom 7 of the cargo hold 3 to serve as a ramp, the first releasable hinge 32 is disengaged. Means are provided to coordinate the engagement and disengagement of the first and second releasable hinges. A suitable latch 39 may be used to release the first and second releasable hinges 32, 34. Typically, when the latch 39 releases the first releasable hinge 32, the second releasable hinge 34 will remain engaged, and when the latch 39 releases the second releasable hinge 34, the first releasable hinge 32 will remain engaged. The latch 39 may be automatically or manually controlled.

[0040] When the door 17 is opened and closed vertically to act as a ramp, a control device 37 for controlling the movement of the door 17 may be provided. For example, a cable 71 may extend from one of the outwardly facing walls 9, 11, 13 of the adjacent opening 15 of the cargo compartment 3 to the lateral side 23 of the door to provide support or to be rolled up and unfolded under the control of an active power control device such as an electric motor 77. Alternatively, a passive motion controller may be employed, including an energy storage device such as a coil spring 73, a gas strut assist mechanism 75, etc., to lower the open door 17 under control to act as a ramp and reduce the physical effort required to return the door 17 to the closed position. Gas struts for similar purposes are described in U.S. Patent 6,773,047 entitled "Lift Assist Mechanism for Vehicle Tailgates". The structure is slightly simpler in the door / ramp environment described herein because the gas strut can act on a simple lever arm to generate a closing torque and can remain fixed rather than being allowed to translate as in the tailgate environment.

[0041] As required, the door 17 may be mounted in the outwardly facing wall 9 at the rear of the cargo hold, or on one or both of the outwardly facing side walls 11, 13. Increasing the number of door openings 3 will increase the manufacturing cost of the vehicle, but will provide greater flexibility for loading and unloading cargo.

[0042] In order to operate as a ramp, the door 17 is preferably provided with a ramp flap 43. When the door 17 is oriented vertically, the ramp flap 43 can be hinged to the upward facing side 27 of at least one door 17 and abut against the inward facing side 21 of at least one door. When the door 17 is rotated vertically to be used as a ramp, the ramp flap 43 is rotated outward to provide an extension of the ramp away from the cargo hold 3. Suitable supports 44 can be installed on the outside of one or more doors 17 adjacent to its upward facing side 27 to reduce wear on the door 17 when the door 17 is lowered to be used as a ramp. Such supports 44 can prevent the door 17 from directly contacting the ground or other surfaces to protect the paint and overall integrity of the door 17. The ramp flap 43 can be made of a wear-resistant material, such as a durable plastic, but metal can be used. In any case, since the ramp flap 43 is preferably stored inside the door 17 when not in use, the wear of the ramp flap 43 is generally not noticeable unless the ramp flap 43 is deployed.

[0043] When two doors 17 are mounted side by side, they can be opened together, or opened separately when used as both a door and a ramp. The doors 17 can be conventionally latched together with a latch mechanism 38 at the centerline of the opening 15. Thus, one door 17 can remain closed while the other door is opened horizontally, or both doors 17 can be swung open to increase access to the cargo hold. Similarly, one door 17 can remain closed while the other door is lowered to serve as a ramp, or both doors 17 can be lowered to serve as a ramp, again increasing access to the cargo hold. Releasable hinges and latches that secure the hinges in place or release them are used to allow this variety of orientations of the doors.

[0044] In the second embodiment, the one or more doors 17 are not directly connected to the cargo hold. Instead, the one or more doors 17 are mounted in a frame 51 which is in turn pivotally mounted to the cargo hold 3. Figures 5 to 10Schematically shown in . For convenience, a two-door structure is described. The frame 51 includes two parts, namely a mirror-image L-shaped bracket 53, 55 with vertical arms 57, 59 and a horizontal base 61, 63. The bases 61, 63 of these L-shaped brackets 53, 55 are releasably connected to each other at a central position of the opening. The releasable connection allows the L-shaped brackets 53, 55 to rotate together or individually relative to the bottom 7 of the cargo hold 3; this allows the doors 17 to be deployed as ramps together or individually. When only one door 17 is deployed as a ramp, the L-shaped bracket 53, 55 of the door 17 rotates relative to the bottom 7, while the other L-shaped bracket 53, 55 and its door 17 remain stationary and closed.

[0045] When used as one or more doors, the doors 17 may remain fixed within the frame 51, and the frame 51 may rotate relative to the cargo hold 3. Alternatively, the doors 17 may each be hinged to one of the vertical arms 57 of the frame 51, the doors 17 may rotate horizontally relative to the frame 51, and the frame 51 may be releasably mounted to the cargo hold 3. The latch 39 may be triggered to release the frame 51, thereby allowing the frame 51 to rotate vertically when the door 17 is used as a ramp.

[0046] It should be understood that although a specific component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other arrangements will also benefit from this. Although a specific order of steps may be shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that unless otherwise indicated, the steps may be performed in any order, separate, or in combination, and will still benefit from the present invention.

[0047] Although the different examples have specific components shown in the drawings, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those specific combinations. Some components or features from one example in the examples may be used in combination with features or components from another example.

[0048] Although example embodiments have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of the present claims. Therefore, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of the following claims.

Claims

1. A truck door and ramp system, the truck door and ramp system comprising: a frame adapted to fit within an opening in at least one of three outwardly facing side walls of a cargo compartment of a truck; The frame includes at least a horizontal base and two upstanding side arms extending from distal ends of the base; two door ramp components mounted side by side in the frame, the door ramp components being suitable for use as doors or ramps; the door ramp components being releasably attached to each other at an inner edge of each door ramp component; The horizontal base and two upright side arms include two L-shaped brackets that are releasably connected to each other near the bottom of the truck bed and in the center of the opening, the two L-shaped brackets allowing the door ramp components to rotate horizontally for use as a door or to open and close together for use as a ramp when the two L-shaped brackets are connected, and allowing either door ramp component to rotate vertically for use as a ramp alone when the two L-shaped brackets are disconnected; the door ramp components and the frame being releasably connected to at least one side wall of the opening near an outer edge of each door ramp component, and the door ramp components and the frame being held in place in a closed position by a first latch, at least one of the first latches engaging the frame near an outer edge of the door ramp components, and a second latch, at least one of the second latches engaging the frame near a bottom edge of the door ramp components; Each door ramp member is hinged to one of the upright side walls of the opening by a first hinge adjacent at least one side wall of the opening and is adapted to swing open and closed horizontally upon release of the corresponding second latch to function as a door; Each door ramp member is hinged near the bottom of the cargo bed of the truck by a second hinge and is adapted to swing vertically open and closed to function as a ramp when the corresponding first latch is released; as well as Means for engaging and disengaging said first hinge and said second hinge.

2. The truck door and ramp system of claim 1, wherein: The truck bed also includes a top and a bottom.

3. A truck door and ramp system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: When each door ramp component functions as a ramp, the movement of the ramp is controlled by one of a coil spring, a strut assist mechanism, and an electric motor.

4. The truck door and ramp system of claim 3, wherein: A cable is connected between an outer edge of at least one door ramp component and one of the coil spring, the strut assist mechanism, and the electric motor.

5. The truck door and ramp system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: A plurality of releasable hinges are mounted between the frame and each of the door ramp components.

6. The truck door and ramp system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: The at least one first latch is adapted to release each door ramp component to allow the door ramp component to rotate to function as a ramp.

7. The truck door and ramp system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: The at least one second latch is adapted to release each door ramp component to allow the door ramp component to rotate to function as a door.

8. The truck door and ramp system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: At least one first releasable hinge is mounted between each door ramp member and an adjacent one of the outwardly facing side walls of the cargo compartment.

9. The truck door and ramp system of claim 2, wherein: At least one second releasable hinge is mounted between the bottom edge of each door ramp component and the adjacent bottom of the cargo hold.

10. The truck door and ramp system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: Each door ramp component also includes a ramp flap hinged to an upper edge of the door ramp component, the ramp flap resting against an inwardly facing side of the door ramp component when the door ramp component is vertically oriented, and the ramp flap rotates outwardly to provide an extension to the door ramp component when the door ramp component is used as a ramp.

11. The truck door and ramp system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: The frame is mounted in the outwardly facing side wall at the rear of the cargo hold.

12. The truck door and ramp system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: The frames are mounted in outwardly facing side walls at the lateral sides of the cargo hold.

13. The truck door and ramp system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: The opening is at least partially defined by a rear body pillar.

14. The truck door and ramp system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: The first hinge, the second hinge and a latch component are combined.

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