ABSTRACT
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`A low-profile, heavy duty platform which with fit between the wheel wells of a
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`pickup truck comprises retractable bed ramps with a platform for a pickup truck.
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`Retractable ramps are provided within the platform, and each may be extended by pulling a
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`handle located at the rear end of the ramp. When fully extended, each ramp hinges
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`downward to contact the ground and provide an inclined surface for the loading and
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`unloading of another, smaller vehicle. The platform is preferably provided in a pickup
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`truck equipped with double doors which swing outward, instead of a tailgate.
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`In another
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`embodiment, the platform is provided in a pickup truck with a tailgate, and provides a
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`strong, rigid extension at the hinged forward end of each ramp. The extension may be
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`extended with the ramp by continuing to pull on the handle after the ramp is fully extended.
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`

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`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`Utility Patent Application
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`Retractable bed ramps with platform for a pickup truck
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`Inventor:
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`Michael]. Sindoni Ir., Delanson, NY, US
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`SPECIFICATION
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`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`[0001] This Application claims the benefit of US. Provisional Application No.
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`62/043799, filed August 29, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
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`STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
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`[0002] Not Applicable
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`PARTIES TO A ]OINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
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`[0003] Not Applicable
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`

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`REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
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`LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
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`[0004] Not Applicable
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`[0005] The invention relates generally to pickup truck equipment and accessories,
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`and in particular to retractable bed ramps with a platform for a pickup truck. For
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`both work and play, the pickup truck has become the most popular type ofvehicle in
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`the United States, outselling both sedans and sport utility vehicles. A variety of
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`lighter, special-purpose vehicles, such as riding lawnmowers, motorcycles, golf carts,
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`and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), have generally been towed behind pickup trucks on
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`flatbed trailers, but many owners would prefer to save fuel and space in their
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`driveways by carrying these special purpose vehicles directly in the bed of the
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`pickup truck. Particularly with the popularity of such super duty pickup trucks as
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`the Ford F-350, even certain types of light construction equipment, such as a small
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`end loader or excavator, could conceivably be carried in the bed. Unfortunately, the
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`conventional tailgate configuration would be severely damaged, as well as the bed;
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`and moving such vehicles into the bed is impossible without ramps. Certain types of
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`ramps have been developed but these are generally unsatisfactory, and do nothing
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`to protect the tailgate or the bed from damage. Retractable bed ramps with a
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`platform, which are factory installed with either a conventional tailgate or a pair of
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`double doors, would resolve these problems.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`[0006] Accordingly, the invention is directed to retractable bed ramps with a
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`platform for a pickup truck. The invention is comprised of a low-profile, heavy duty
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`platform which with fit between the wheel wells of a pickup truck. Retractable
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`ramps are provided within the platform, and each may be extended by pulling a
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`

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`handle located at the rear end of the ramp. When fully extended, each ramp hinges
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`downward to contact the ground and provide an inclined surface for the loading and
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`unloading of another, smaller vehicle. The platform is preferably provided in a
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`pickup truck equipped with double doors which swing outward, instead of a tailgate.
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`In another embodiment, the platform is provided in a pickup truck with a tailgate,
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`and provides a strong, rigid extension at the hinged forward end of each ramp. The
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`extension may be extended with the ramp by continuing to pull on the handle after
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`the ramp is fully extended.
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`[0007] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the
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`description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be
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`learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the
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`following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to
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`provide further explanation of the invention.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`[0008] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
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`understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of
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`the specification. They illustrate two embodiments of the invention and, together
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`with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
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`[0009] Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment with the
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`ramps retracted, displaying the platform 10, the handles 12, the pickup truck 13, the
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`bed 14, and the double doors 15.
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`[0010] Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment with both
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`ramps extended, displaying the platform 10, the ramps 11, the handles 12, the
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`pickup truck 13, the bed 14, the double doors 15.
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`[0011] Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment with one
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`ramp extended, displaying the platform 10, the ramp 11, the handle 12, the pickup
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`truck 13, the bed 14, and the double doors 15.
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`[0012] Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment with
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`the ramps extended, displaying the platform 10, the handles 12, the pickup truck 13,
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`the bed 14, and the tailgate 16.
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`[0013] Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment with
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`both ramps extended, displaying the platform 10, the ramps 11, the extensions 11A,
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`the handles 12, the pickup truck 13, and the bed 14.
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`[0014] Fig. 6 is a rear perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment with
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`one ramp extended, displaying the platform 10, the ramp 11, the handle 12, the
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`pickup truck 13, and the bed 14.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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`[0015] Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to
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`retractable bed ramps 11 with a platform 10 for a pickup truck 13.
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`[0016] The invention is intended to be installed as original equipment by the pickup
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`truck manufacturer. Alternate embodiments, which may be installed as an after-
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`market modification by the owner of the pickup truck 13, or by a repair or
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`customizing shop, are contemplated.
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`[0017] The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a low-profile, heavy duty
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`platform 10 which with fit between the wheel wells of the bed 14 of a pickup truck
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`13. Retractable ramps 11 are provided within the platform 13, and each may be
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`extended by pulling a handle 12 located at the rear end of the ramp 11. When fully
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`extended, each ramp 11 hinges downward to contact the ground and provide an
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`inclined surface for the loading and unloading of another, smaller vehicle, such as a
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`golf cart, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), a riding lawnmower, a motorcycle, or a small
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`excavator or end loader. Each ramp 11 extends and retracts easily, preferably on
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`roller bearings or large rollers.
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`[0018] In the first exemplary embodiment, the platform 10 is provided in a pickup
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`truck 13 equipped with double doors 15 which swing outward, instead of a tailgate
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`16. Each ramp 11 may be extended individually, in the event that the user does not
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`need to extend both ramps 11, such as the loading and unloading of a motorcycle.
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`The platform 10 with ramps 11 may be hoisted out of the bed 14 of the pickup truck
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`13, and is temporarily secured with bolts or similar fasteners. Steel eyes or similar
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`structures, for the attachment of hoisting chains or to secure a payload, are
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`preferably provided at the corners and edges ofthe platform 10.
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`[0019] To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user opens the double doors 15
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`and pulls on one or both handles 12 until the ramps 11 are fully extended. When
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`fully extended, the ramps 11 may be hinged downward to contact the ground. A
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`light vehicle may then be loaded or unloaded, using the ramps 11.
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`[0020] The second exemplary embodiment is structurally and functionally similar to
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`the first exemplary embodiment with the following modification. The platform 10 is
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`provided in a pickup truck 13 with a conventional tailgate 16, and provides a strong,
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`rigid extension 11A at the hinged forward end of each ramp 11. The extension 11A
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`may be extended with the ramp 11 by continuing to pull on the handle 12 after the
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`ramp 11 is fully extended.
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`[0021] To use the second exemplary embodiment, the user opens the tailgate 16
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`and pulls on one or both handles 12 until the ramps 11 are fully extended. The user
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`then continues pulling on one or both handles 12 until the extensions 11A are also
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`fully extended. When fully extended, the ramps 11 may be hinged downward to
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`contact the ground. A light vehicle may then be loaded or unloaded, using the ramps
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`11.
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`[0022] The platform 10, the ramps 11, the extensions 11A, and the handles 12 are
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`preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material with substantial structural
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`strength, such as steel or aluminum alloy. Components, component sizes, and
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`materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate
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`components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the
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`invention.
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`[0023] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of
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`ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode
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`thereof, those of ordinary skill
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`in the art will understand and appreciate the
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`existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment,
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`method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the
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`above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and
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`methods within the scope and spirit ofthe invention.
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`l CLAIM:
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`1.
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`A ramp system for a pickup truck having a bed and a tailgate, the ramp system
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`comprising:
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`(a)
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`a longitudinal bed channel recessed into a floor ofthe bed, the bed channel
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`defining a bottom surface having a longitudinal bed track;
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`(b)
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`a longitudinal tailgate channel recessed into an inner-panel of the tailgate,
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`the tailgate channel aligned with the bed channel and defining a bottom
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`surface having a longitudinal tailgate track, the inner panel facing the floor of
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`the bed when the tailgate is in a closed position; and
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`a ramp member having a track member, the ramp member configured to be
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`stowed in the bed channel in a stowed position and slidable in the bed and
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`tailgate channels from the stowed position to a fully deployed position
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`during which the track member moves along the respective bed and
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`longitudinal tailgate tracks without having to raise the track member out of
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`the respective bed and longitudinal tailgate tracks;
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`2.
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`The ramp system of Claim 1, wherein, in the fully deployed position, the ramp
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`member extends from the longitudinal tailgate track, at an outer end of the tailgate
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`when the tailgate is in an open position, the outer end being opposed to an inner
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`end of the tailgate that is adjacent to the floor, at an incline to a ground surface.
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`3.
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`The ramp system of Claim 2, wherein the track member comprises a head member
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`pivotably coupled thereto, and wherein the head member comprises an end
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`member that is slidably movable in and along the bed track and the longitudinal
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`tailgate track.
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`4.
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`The ramp system of Claim 1, wherein the bed and longitudinal tailgate channels are
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`substantially horizontally aligned when the tailgate is in the open position.
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`The ramp system of Claim 1, wherein a top surface ofthe ramp members is flush
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`with a surface of the floor in the stowed position and during movement through the
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`bed and longitudinal tailgate channel.
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`The ramp system of Claim 5, wherein the top surface ofthe ramp member is a same
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`material as the surface of the bed.
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`The ramp system of Claim 1, wherein the bed and longitudinal tailgate tracks are
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`recessed relative to a bottom surface of the bed and tailgate channels, respectively,
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`and wherein the track members extend below the bottom-surface of the bed and
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`tailgate channels to a slidably engage the bed and longitudinal tailgate tracks.
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`The ramp system of Claim 1, wherein the track member is at a cab-side end ofthe
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`ramp member when the ramp member is in the stowed position, the cab-side end
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`opposed to a tailgate side end of the ramp member.
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`The ramp system of Claim 8, wherein the track member is lockable at a position
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`along the bed or longitudinal tailgate track or in the fully deployed position.
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`The ramp system of Claim 9, wherein the track member is lockable at the cab-side
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`end ofthe ramp member in the stowed position.
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`The ramp system of Claim 1, wherein the longitudinal bed channel comprises a pair
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`of longitudinal bed channels laterally spaced apart, wherein the longitudinal tailgate
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`channel comprises a pair of longitudinal tailgate channels spaced laterally apart, and
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`wherein the ramp member comprises a pair of ramp members.
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`The ramp system of Claim 11, wherein the pairs of longitudinal bed and tailgate
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`channels and tracks are substantially longitudinally aligned.
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`10.
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`11.
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`12.
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`13.
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`A vehicle comprising:
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`(a)
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`a cargo area having a floor and a closure member moveable between an open
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`position and a closed position, the closure member having n inner panel
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`facing the cargo floor when in the closed position;
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`(b)
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`a ramp system including: a pair of longitudinal floor channels recessed into
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`the floor ofthe cargo area and laterally spaced apart from each other, the
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`floor channels each defining a bottom surface having a longitudinal floor
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`track; a pair of longitudinal closure member channels aligned with the bed
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`channels and each defining a bottom surface having a longitudinal closure
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`member track; and a pair of ramp members each having a track member, the
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`pair oframp members configured to be stowed in the floor channels in a
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`stowed position and slidable in the floor and closure member channels from
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`the stowed position to a fully deployed position during which the track
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`members move along the respective bed and longitudinal closure member
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`tracks and into the fully deployed position without having to raise the track
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`members out ofthe respective bed and longitudinal closure member tracks.
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`14.
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`15.
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`16.
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`17.
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`The vehicle of Claim 13, wherein the vehicle is a pickup truck, wherein the cargo
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`area is a bed, and wherein the closure member is a tailgate.
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`The vehicle of Claim 13, wherein each track member comprises a head member
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`pivotably coupled thereto, and wherein the head member comprises and end
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`member that is slidably movable in and along its respective floor track and its
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`respective longitudinal closure member track.
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`The vehicle of Claim 13, wherein the floor and longitudinal closure member
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`channels are substantially horizontally aligned when the closure member is in the
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`open position.
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`The vehicle of Claim 13, wherein a top surface of each ramp member is flush with a
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`surface of the floor in the stowed position and during movement through the floor
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`and closure member channels.
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`18.
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`19.
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`20.
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`21.
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`22.
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`The vehicle of Claim 13, wherein the closure member separates in the middle and
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`opens laterally towards the sides of the closure member.
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`A ramp system for a pickup truck having a bed and a tailgate, the ramp system
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`comprising:
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`(a)
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`a longitudinal bed channel, the longitudinal bed channel defining a bottom
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`surface having a longitudinal bed track, and the longitudinal bed channel
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`defining a top surface;
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`(b)
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`a ramp member having a track member, the ramp member having an
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`extension, the extension being configured to extend the ramp member past
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`the tailgate, the ramp member and extension configured to be stowed in the
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`bed channel in a stowed position and slidable in the bed channel from the
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`stowed position to a fully deployed position during which the ramp member
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`and extension moves along the respective bed tracks without having to raise
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`the track member out of the respective bed tracks;
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`The ramp system of Claim 19, wherein, in the fully deployed position, the ramp
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`member extends from the extension, at an outer end of the tailgate when the tailgate
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`is in an open position, the outer end being opposed to an inner end of the tailgate
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`that is adjacent to the floor, at an incline to a ground surface.
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`The ramp system of Claim 20, wherein the track member comprises a head member
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`pivotably coupled thereto, and wherein the head member comprises an end
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`member that is slidably movable in and along the bed track.
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`The ramp system of Claim 19, wherein the ramp members are concealed within a
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`platform in the stowed position and during movement through the bed channel; the
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`platform being secured to the bed.
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`23.
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`24.
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`25.
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`26.
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`27.
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`28.
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`29.
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`The ramp system of Claim 22, wherein the top surface of the ramp member is a
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`same material as the surface of the bed.
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`The ramp system of Claim 19, wherein the bed tracks are concealed within a
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`platform containing the bed channels and wherein the track members extend to
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`slidably engage the bed tracks.
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`The ramp system of Claim 19, wherein the track member is at a cab-side end of the
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`ramp member when the ramp member is in the stowed position, the cab-side end
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`opposed to a tailgate side end of the ramp member.
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`The ramp system of Claim 25, wherein the track member is lockable at a position
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`along the bed track or in the fully deployed position.
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`The ramp system of Claim 26, wherein the track member is lockable at the cab-side
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`end ofthe ramp member in the stowed position.
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`The ramp system of Claim 19, wherein the longitudinal bed channel comprises a
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`pair of longitudinal bed channels laterally spaced apart and wherein the ramp
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`member comprises a pair of ramp members.
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`The ramp system of Claim 28, wherein the pairs of longitudinal bed and tracks are
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`substantially longitudinally aligned.
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`30.
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`A vehicle comprising:
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`(a)
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`a cargo area having a floor and a closure member moveable between an open
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`position and a closed position, the closure member having an inner panel
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`facing the cargo floor when in the closed position;
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`(b)
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`a ramp system including: a pair of longitudinal floor channels concealed
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`within a platform and laterally spaced apart from each other, the floor
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`channels each defining a bottom surface having a longitudinal floor track;
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`5
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`and a pair of ramp members each having a track member and an extension,
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`the pair of ramp members configured to be stowed in the floor channels in a
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`stowed position and slidable in the floor and closure member channels from
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`the stowed position to a fully deployed position during which the track
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`members move along the respective bed and longitudinal closure member
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`tracks and into the fully deployed position without having to raise the track
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`members out ofthe respective bed and longitudinal closure member tracks.
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`31.
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`32.
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`33.
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`The vehicle of Claim 30, wherein the vehicle is a pickup truck, wherein the cargo
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`area is a bed, and wherein the closure member is a tailgate.
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`The vehicle of Claim 30, wherein each track member comprises a head member
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`pivotably coupled thereto, and wherein the head member comprises and end
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`member that is slidably movable in and along its respective floor track and its
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`respective longitudinal closure member track.
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`The vehicle of Claim 30, wherein the closure member separates in the middle and
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`opens laterally towards the sides ofthe closure member.
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