A lock mechanism is disclosed herein that can be used to lockingly secure and release sections of an apparatus relative to one another. The lock mechanism can lockingly secure the sections of the apparatus relative to one another in a plurality of different positions and, when released or unlocked, can allow the sections of the apparatus to rotate relative to one another and to different ones of the plurality of different positions.

A lock mechanism is disclosed herein that can be used to lockingly secure and release sections of an apparatus relative to one another. The lock mechanism can lockingly secure the sections of the apparatus relative to one another in a plurality of different positions and, when released or unlocked, can allow the sections of the apparatus to rotate relative to one another and to different ones of the plurality of different positions.

Methods and systems for stowing and extending a stowable access ramp mounted to a wheelchair accessible vehicle are disclosed. One such system includes a stowable ramp extendable between a stacked position and an extended position. The ramp includes an upper panel for forming an upper part of the ramp, a mid panel for forming a middle part of the ramp, and a lower panel for forming a lower portion of the ramp. The mid panel is hingedly coupled to the upper panel for pivoting the mid panel into ramp alignment with the upper panel during extension of the ramp and the lower ramp is hingedly coupled to the mid panel for pivoting the lower panel into ramp alignment with the mid panel during extension of the ramp. The upper panel, mid panel, and lower panel stack atop each other for stowing in the stacked position.

A loading ramp for a tailgate is stored and transported on the inside wall of the tailgate. The loading ramp includes a base section pivotally connected to an inner wall of the tailgate. A ramp section is connected to the base section by a hinge and is movable between a loading position extending from a distal edge of the tailgate to a ground surface and a transport position folded against the base section in a transverse/vertical plane. An alternative loading ramp includes a top section, a top hinge connecting the top section to a distal edge of the tailgate, a bottom section, and an intermediate hinge connecting the bottom section to the top section. The top section and the bottom section are stored with the top section and bottom section parallel to each other and to the tailgate.

A loading ramp for a tailgate is stored and transported on the inside wall of the tailgate. The loading ramp includes a base section pivotally connected to an inner wall of the tailgate. A ramp section is connected to the base section by a hinge and is movable between a loading position extending from a distal edge of the tailgate to a ground surface and a transport position folded against the base section in a transverse/vertical plane. An alternative loading ramp includes a top section, a top hinge connecting the top section to a distal edge of the tailgate, a bottom section, and an intermediate hinge connecting the bottom section to the top section. The top section and the bottom section are stored with the top section and bottom section parallel to each other and to the tailgate.

A ramp structure for a mobile platform includes at least one ramp member structured to be operably coupled to the mobile platform. The at least one ramp member is structured to be deflectable toward a ground surface so as to form a ramp responsive to contact with a subject vehicle wheel when the ramp member is operably coupled to the mobile platform and the mobile platform resides on the ground surface. The ramp extends in a direction from the ground surface toward a top surface of the mobile platform.

A ramp structure for a mobile platform includes at least one ramp member structured to be operably coupled to the mobile platform. The at least one ramp member is structured to be deflectable toward a ground surface so as to form a ramp responsive to contact with a subject vehicle wheel when the ramp member is operably coupled to the mobile platform and the mobile platform resides on the ground surface. The ramp extends in a direction from the ground surface toward a top surface of the mobile platform.

A container for transporting and storing landscaping materials includes a rectangular container body having a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, and an end wall which define an open-ended chamber; and a vertical ramp end wall that is pivotally displaceable between a normal vertical closed position, and a downwardly inclined loading position, which pivot arrangement includes a pair of horizontal pivot shafts arranged collinearly transversely of the container on opposite sides of the protruding ends of a pair of guide rails that extend longitudinally beneath the bottom wall. To afford manual operation of the massive ramp wall, a counter-balancing spring arrangement is provided including a pair of torsion springs mounted concentrically on these two pivot shafts for biasing the ramp wall from the loading position upwardly toward the closed position with an aggregate torque force that is generally equal to the weight of the ramp wall.

A container for transporting and storing landscaping materials includes a rectangular container body having a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, and an end wall which define an open-ended chamber; and a vertical ramp end wall that is pivotally displaceable between a normal vertical closed position, and a downwardly inclined loading position, which pivot arrangement includes a pair of horizontal pivot shafts arranged collinearly transversely of the container on opposite sides of the protruding ends of a pair of guide rails that extend longitudinally beneath the bottom wall. To afford manual operation of the massive ramp wall, a counter-balancing spring arrangement is provided including a pair of torsion springs mounted concentrically on these two pivot shafts for biasing the ramp wall from the loading position upwardly toward the closed position with an aggregate torque force that is generally equal to the weight of the ramp wall.

A lift deck assembly has a base frame mounted in the cargo box of a truck and a load supporting platform movable relative to the base frame by a linkage between a loading position substantially at ground level and a transport position above the cargo box in which the side edges of the platform are aligned with the sidewalls of the cargo box and the rear edge of the platform is aligned with the tailgate to provide the general appearance of a tonneau cover. The platform includes a main defining the side edges and an extendable portion that can be extended rearward from the main portion to assist in supporting a load thereon. The extendible portion can be retracted so that the rear edge thereof aligns with the rear edge of the main portion and the tailgate.