HANDICAP RAMP FOR ACCESSING AND EGRESSING TRANSPORT VEHICLES

摘要

An expandable and contractable ramp assembly is provided for moving handicapped persons between a first elevation and a structure such as a transport vehicle or a stationary structure at a second elevation. The ramp assembly comprises an attachment assembly adapted to removably secure a first end of the ramp assembly to the vehicle or structure, the ramp assembly being expandable and contractable in a linear direction. The attachment assembly provides pivotal movement of the ramp assembly in an arcuate direction for storage of the ramp assembly when not in use. The ramp assembly comprises a pair of parallel disposed scissors assemblies, the scissors assemblies moveable between expanded and contracted positions. A light weight tread support assembly extends between and is operatively connected to the pair of parallel scissors assemblies, the tread support assembly including a plurality of tread plates connected to a tread plate support structure that supports the tread plates. In an embodiment, an expandable and contractable ramp assembly is adapted to be removably attached to and extendable from the rear of an ambulance deck, providing assistance in loading a patient-bearing ambulance stretcher into an ambulance, or removing the stretcher from an ambulance.