A convertible trailer system includes a convertible trailer having a segmented lower deck, and a segmented upper deck mounted thereover. The segmented lower deck includes floating forward and rear belly ramps which are independently actuable relative to each other so as to be selectively raised and lowered relative to a pair of side rails which define the belly forward of the trailer wheels. When in a fully lowered position the belly ramps are lowered to a lower extremity between the pair of side rails so as to be substantially entirely below uppermost edges of the pair of side rails. When in an elevated position the belly ramps are elevated so as to be co-planar with or above the uppermost edges of the side rails whereby freight may be loaded laterally onto the belly ramps over the pair of side rails.

A mechanism for deploying and aligning a ramp relative to a platform includes a main bearing operatively associated with the platform and rotatable about a main pivot axis; a drive member disposed on the main bearing, the drive member being adapted to drive the main bearing to rotate about the main pivot axis; a rotating member disposed on the main bearing and rotatable about the main pivot axis with the main bearing; and a ramp member rotatably connected to the rotating member at a pivot point eccentric to the main pivot axis. Rotation of the rotating member causes the ramp member to move between a stowed position and a deployed position in an arcuate path about the main pivot axis.

A mechanism for deploying and aligning a ramp relative to a platform includes a main bearing operatively associated with the platform and rotatable about a main pivot axis; a drive member disposed on the main bearing, the drive member being adapted to drive the main bearing to rotate about the main pivot axis; a rotating member disposed on the main bearing and rotatable about the main pivot axis with the main bearing; and a ramp member rotatably connected to the rotating member at a pivot point eccentric to the main pivot axis. Rotation of the rotating member causes the ramp member to move between a stowed position and a deployed position in an arcuate path about the main pivot axis.

Methods and systems are provided for loading and unloading an item onto a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes: a loading system configured to receive a locker configured to store the item; a shuttle transfer system configured to transfer the locker to a storage position within the vehicle; and a swing arm system that couples to the loading system and the shuttle transfer system, the swing arm system configured to adjust a position of the loading system relative to the vehicle.

A method is disclosed for deploying a ramp assembly. The ramp assembly includes a ramp portion rotatable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The ramp assembly further includes a panel rotatable about a first end, wherein the ramp portion supportingly engages a second end of the panel to elevate the second end of the panel as the ramp portion moves toward the deployed position. The method includes the step of rotating the ramp portion until the ramp portion contacts an alighting surface. The method further includes the step of rotating the ramp portion until one of a first condition and second condition occurs. The first condition is that the ramp portion has reached a maximum slope. The second condition is that the second end of the panel has reached a predetermined elevation.

A method is disclosed for deploying a ramp assembly. The ramp assembly includes a ramp portion rotatable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The ramp assembly further includes a panel rotatable about a first end, wherein the ramp portion supportingly engages a second end of the panel to elevate the second end of the panel as the ramp portion moves toward the deployed position. The method includes the step of rotating the ramp portion until the ramp portion contacts an alighting surface. The method further includes the step of rotating the ramp portion until one of a first condition and second condition occurs. The first condition is that the ramp portion has reached a maximum slope. The second condition is that the second end of the panel has reached a predetermined elevation.

A boarding system for a vehicle for transporting people includes a retractable step that has a lifting function and a ramp function. An extendable front edge of the retractable step and a rear edge of the retractable step are arranged behind in the direction of travel and are adjustable in terms of height.

A vehicle accessibility system may include an interior ramp panel movable between a first position and a second position; a first floor panel movable between a lowered position and a raised position; and a second floor panel movable between a horizontal position and a tilted position.

A height adjustable loading ramp installed at a tail of a car, for loading or unloading goods, includes: a slope plane and a supporter. The two ends of the slope plane are respectively supported on the ground and the supporter. The supporter includes: two supporting legs adjustable in length, a beam horizontally provided between lower portions of the two supporting legs, wheels for making the loading ramp move conveniently, and a scissor jack for adjusting the height. The scissor jack includes: four scissor jack arms equal in length, and an adjusting-locking device for adjusting and locking the height of the height adjustable loading ramp. In addition, the supporting leg comprises an auxiliary fixing unit for fixing the relative position between the upper and the lower supporting legs and providing an extra security protection, in such a manner that the height of the height adjustable loading ramp is locked.

A ramp assembly comprises a support defining each of a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, a ramp being coupled to the support and being configured to support an passenger thereon. An optional actuator mechanism may be coupled to at least one of the support, the ramp, a power source and a controller, the actuator mechanism configured, in a response to a control signal from the controller or in a response to a manual force, to rotate the ramp about the vertical axis between a stowed position and a deployed position or rotate the ramp about the horizontal axis between the deployed position and a ground engaging position. The actuator may comprise a motor with a gearbox and two gears to rotate the ramp about the vertical axis. The actuator may comprise a linear actuator to rotate the ramp about the horizontal axis.