Loading ramp

• US 4,443,905 A
• Filed: 05/20/1982
• Issued: 04/24/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clarence Kopp
• Original Assignee: Clarence Kopp
• Inventors: Kopp, Clarence
• Primary Examiner(s): Leppink, James A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hjorth, Beverly E.
• Application Number:
  US06/380,030
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 14/69.5, 14/71.1, 49/463, 49/465, 16/239, 16/242, 16/387, 414/401
• US Class Current: 14/69.5
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/30 Non-permanently installed loading ramps, e.g. transportable

Abstract

At least two plates hinged along a confronting pair of edges by hinge members having depending feet which hold the two plates slightly elevated along the hinge and allow the plates to assume relative positions which subtend whatever appropriate angle is necessary for the unhinged ends of the plates to establish contact with a loading dock surface and truck cargo area surface when the two plates are used as a ramp for transferring cargo on dollies or the like between the dock and truck.

Claims

1. A loading ramp of the type having an operative position in spanning relation over the space between a loading dock and a cargo platform of a truck or the like, said loading ramp comprising at least two planar body members presenting a cooperating pair of edges in adjacent position along which said body members are adapted to be pivotally conneced to each other, a select number in spaced locations along each said body member edge and in a cooperating staggered relation to each other of an operative arrangement of attached hinge members, each said hinge member having a body bounding a cylindrical opening oriented substantially parallel to said edge and having a hinge-supporting foot member extending in depending relation therefrom, and a hinge pin sized to be projected through an aligned arrangement of said cylindrical openings for hingedly interconnecting said body members along said cooperating edges thereof, whereby in said spanning operative position of said loading ramp said interconnected edges of said body members are in a raised position supported on said foot members and edges opposite to said cooperating edges are in contact with said loading dock and said truck cargo platform respectively due to the angular position assumed by said body members about said hinge pin.

2. A loading ramp as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower end of each said hinge foot member is formed with an arcuate shaped edge so as to contribute to the establishing of contact between said foot member and a support surface at least at a point along said arcuate shaped edge of each said foot member.

3. A loading ramp as defined in claim 2 wherein each said hinge member includes a projection oriented substantially perpendicularly of said foot member to thereby facilitate the welding attachment along said hinge member in its operative position along said body member edge.