Trailer with automated trailer ramp

Abstract

A trailer having a trailer ramp system that includes a trailer ramp coupled with the trailer and an actuator pivotally coupled to the trailer on a first end of the actuator and pivotally coupled to the trailer ramp on a second end of the actuator. The actuator is located below the trailer and is aligned with a central axis of the trailer ramp and a central axis of the trailer. The actuator is movable linearly to rotate the trailer ramp between an open position and a closed position.

1 . A trailer having a trailer ramp system, comprising:
 a trailer ramp coupled to the trailer; and   an actuator pivotally coupled to the trailer on a first end of the actuator and pivotally coupled to the trailer ramp on a second end of the actuator, wherein the actuator is located below the trailer and is aligned with a central axis of the trailer ramp and a central axis of the trailer, wherein the actuator is movable linearly to move the trailer ramp between an open and a closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a connection between the trailer ramp and the trailer comprises a connector that links a first hinge member coupled to the trailer ramp to a second hinge member coupled to the trailer, wherein the first hinge member is maintained at a distance from the second hinge member by the connector as the trailer ramp rotates from the open position to the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the connector comprises a contact arm for contacting a fixed surface on the trailer and a first biasing mechanism for applying a biasing force to the trailer ramp when the contact arm contacts the fixed surface. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the first biasing mechanism applies a biasing force to move the trailer ramp toward the closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4 , further comprising a second biasing mechanism for biasing the trailer ramp toward the open position, wherein the first biasing mechanism is engaged when the trailer ramp is moving toward the open position and the second biasing mechanism is engaged when the ramp is moving toward the closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein a connection between the actuator and the trailer ramp comprises a cam that connects the first hinge member to the trailer ramp. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the connection between the actuator and the trailer ramp further comprises a linking arm that is pivotally connected to the cam and pivotally connected to the actuator. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a linear actuator and comprises one or more of a hydraulic piston, an electrical actuator, a step motor, an electronic winch, a hydraulic winch, a manual winch, an air bag, a pneumatic actuator, an air cylinder, a linear actuator, a mechanical jack, a hydraulic jack and a hydraulic pump. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the trailer ramp rotates about 180 degrees between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is controlable to hold the trailer ramp in a position between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is movable within a slot in a bottom surface of the trailer. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator pivots up to about 2 degrees about a pivotal coupling between the actuator and the trailer. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling mechanism coupled to the trailer ramp, wherein at least part of the actuator is located within an opening in the coupling mechanism to restrain some pivotal movement of the actuator. 
     
     
         14 . A trailer ramp system, comprising:
 a trailer comprising a dovetail portion;   a wedge-shaped trailer ramp pivotally connected to the trailer adjacent the dovetail portion; and   an actuator coupled to the wedge-shaped trailer ramp and the trailer to allow pivoting of the wedge-shaped trailer ramp with respect to the dovetail section of the trailer between a closed position and an open position, wherein a bottom surface of the wedge-shaped trailer ramp is aligned with a top surface of the trailer when the wedge-shaped trailer ramp is in the closed position and wherein the actuator is coupled to the ramp by a linking arm and a cam.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein a pivotal connection between the trailer and the trailer ramp comprises a connector that links a first hinge member coupled to the trailer ramp to a second hinge member coupled to the trailer, wherein the first hinge member is maintained at a distance from the second hinge member by the connector. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the linking arm is coupled to the actuator and the cam, and wherein the cam is coupled to the first hinge member and the trailer ramp. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 14 , further comprising a coupling mechanism encircling at least part of the actuator, wherein the coupling mechanism is coupled to a bottom surface of the trailer ramp and restrains some pivotal movement of the actuator. 
     
     
         18 . A method of moving a trailer ramp from a closed position to an open position, comprising:
 retracting a portion of an actuator that is coupled to a linking arm, wherein the linking arm is pivotally coupled to a cam;   rotating the cam about a first hinge member, wherein the cam is coupled to the first hinge member and the trailer ramp and rotation of the cam imparts rotation to the trailer ramp;   moving the first hinge member with respect to a second hinge member, wherein the second hinge member is coupled to a trailer; and   pivoting the ramp to an open position.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising applying a biasing force to the trailer ramp as the trailer ramp moves from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising maintaining a predetermined distance between the first hinge member and the second hinge member as the trailer ramp moves from the closed position to the open position.