Folding ramp

• US 6,009,587 A
• Filed: 10/11/1996
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Randall E. Beeman
• Original Assignee: Randall E. Beeman
• Inventors: Beeman, Randall E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LISEHORA, JAMES
• Application Number:
  US08/728,909
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 14/69.5, 14/71.1, 414/537, D34/32, 296/61
• US Class Current: 14/69.5
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/30 Non-permanently installed loading ramps, e.g. transportable

Abstract

A folding ramp which contains at least two ramp members which are pivoted together. The underside of the ramp has a plurality of bars or rods which form part of the pivot mechanism and which, in addition, add strength and structural rigidity to the ramp.

Claims

1. A portable folding loading ramp adapted to help move items from the ground to a raised platform comprising:

at least a first and a second ramp surface,

each ramp surface having sides, a first end, a second end, a top surface and a bottom surface,

said first end of said first ramp surface being positioned adjacent said first end of said second ramp surface, and said second end of said first ramp surface being positioned remote from said second end of said second ramp surface,

a plurality of support bars attached to the bottom surface of said first ramp surface,

a plurality of support bars attached to the bottom surface of said second ramp surface, and said plurality of support bars attached to the bottom surface of said second ramp surface extending along substantially the entire second ramp surface from said first end to said second end,

said plurality of support bars attached to the bottom surface of said first ramp surface extending along substantially the entire first ramp surface from said first end to said second end, and extending partly under said second ramp surface,

each of said plurality of support bars attached to the bottom surface of said first ramp surface having a first end positioned adjacent said first end of said first ramp surface and a second end positioned adjacent said second end of said first ramp surface, and

each of said plurality of support bars attached to the bottom surface of said second ramp surface having a first end positioned adjacent said first end of said second ramp surface and a second end positioned adjacent said second end of said second ramp surface, and

each of said plurality of support bars attached to the bottom surface of said first and second ramp surfaces have an aperture therein,

said apertures in said plurality of support bars attached to the bottom surface of said first and second ramp surfaces being aligned, and a bar extending through said aligned apertures,

said apertures in said plurality of support bars attached to the bottom surface of said first ramp surface being positioned directly adjacent an end of said plurality of support bars and said end is positioned beneath said second ramp surface,

said apertures in said plurality of support bars attached to the bottom surface of said second ramp surface being positioned between said first end of said support bars and said second end of the support bars which are attached to the bottom surface of said second ramp surface.

2. The portable folding loading ramp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinge means is a rod which is connected to said plurality of support bars.

3. The portable folding loading ramp as claimed in claim 1, wherein a safety gap is formed between adjacent edges of said first and second ramp surface when said ramp is in the unfolded position.

4. The portable folding loading ramp as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said ramp surfaces has a slanted edge.

5. The portable folding loading ramp as claimed in claim 1, wherein ramp surfaces have side rails attached to two of said sides.

6. The portable folding loading ramp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of support bars attached to the bottom surface of said first and second ramp surface have load bearing support blocks attached thereto, and

wherein load responsibility is distributed and shared by said plurality of support bars attached to the bottom surface of said first and second ramp surface, said hinge means and said load bearing support blocks.

7. The portable folding loading ramp as claimed in claim 1, wherein a safety gap is formed between adjacent edges of said support bars and said first and second ramp surfaces when said ramp is in the folded position.

8. The portable folding loading ramp as claimed in claim 1, wherein each support bar has a support block attached permanently thereto.