Combination pet ramp and utility table

• US 6,119,634 A
• Filed: 01/10/2000
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Petstep International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kenneth W. Myrick
• Inventors: Myrick, Kenneth W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Poon, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAW, ELIZABETH ANNE
• Application Number:
  US09/480,867
• Time in Patent Office: 253 Days
• Field of Search: 119/706, 119/843, 119/847, 119/848, 119/849, 52/182, 52/183, 14/69.5, 14/71.1, 14/71.5, 414/480, D34/32
• US Class Current: 119/847
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0272 Boxes, bags, cages, baskets, harnesses especially adapted for transport in or on automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/035 Devices for use in keeping domestic animals, e.g. fittings in housings or dog beds
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/00 Devices for grooming or caring of animals, e.g. curry-combs; Fetlock rings; Tail-holders as part of the harness B68B5/04; Devices for preventing crib-biting; Washing devices; Protection against weather conditions or insects
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/30 Non-permanently installed loading ramps, e.g. transportable

Abstract

A pet ramp assembly including a pair of elongated, molded first and second ramp components hinged together at adjoining ends by a simple pivot pin. A pair of side-locking pins serve the dual purpose of locking the folded structure together and alternatively locking the extended ramp-forming structure in its extended configuration while simultaneously providing additional structural support at the pivot point. The apparatus is made of light-weight, injection molded plastic material, and is provided with a non-slip surface on its upper side. The ground-engaging end and vehicle-engaging end are also specially configured to prevent slippage and dislodgment during use. The apparatus also includes disconnectable legs for allowing the ramp assembly to be used as a grooming table, examination table, game-cleaning table etc.

Claims

1. A pet ramp assembly comprising:

a first molded unit forming a generally rectangular first ramp component having a first end portion configured to engage a first surface and a second end portion including a plurality of apertured first flanges, means forming stiffening walls on opposite sides of said first ramp component, said first component having a cutout formed therein along at least one side thereof midway along its length with handle means formed therein;

a second molded unit forming a generally rectangular second ramp component having another first end portion configured to engage a second surface remote from said first surface, another second end portion including a plurality of apertured second flanges, means forming stiffening walls on opposite sides of said second ramp component, said second ramp component having a cutout formed therein along at least one side thereof midway along its length with handle means formed therein; and

at least one pivot pin adapted to extend through the apertures in said first and second flanges so as to pivotally join said first unit to said second unit,

wherein said assembly may be rotated about said pivot pin between a folded configuration with said first and second units lying in parallel side-by-side relationship, and an extended configuration wherein said first and second units lie within a common plane such that upon placement of said first end portion on a first surface and placement of said second end portion on a second surface, said assembly forms a ramp along which a pet can walk.

2. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 1 and further comprising means for locking said first and second units in at least one of said first and second configurations.

3. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for locking includes an elongated bore formed in at least one of said sidewalls of each of said first and second units at points proximate said apertured flanges, and an elongated shaft which, when extended through the elongated bore of each said unit, locks said assembly in said extended configuration.

4. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first end portion is beveled to mate with a first supporting surface when the assembly is in its extended configuration and inclined to extend between supporting surfaces at different elevations.

5. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said another first end portion is inclined relative to the length of said second molded unit so as to matingly engage a second supporting surface at a higher elevation than the first supporting surface.

6. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second molded units have generally planar upper surfaces extending between said stiffening walls, said upper surfaces having non-slip means integrally formed therein to improve frictional engagement between a pet'"'"'s paws and the upper surfaces.

7. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said non-slip means is provided by ridges formed in said upper surfaces and extending transversally across the length of each said unit at regular intervals.

8. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 1 and further comprising a network of intersecting ribs formed in the bottom surfaces of said units to increase the strength and rigidity thereof.

9. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 8 and further including screw blocks integrally formed at spaced locations on the bottom surface of said units, and further comprising a plurality of elongated legs having a threaded fastening member attached to one end thereof, each said threaded fastening member being adapted to threadably engage one of said screw blocks to form a leg for supporting said pet ramp assembly, whereby said pet ramp assembly can alternatively be used as a grooming table or the like.

10. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second flanges are asymmetrically disposed along said second and another second end portions respectively, such that when said second and fourth end portions are adjoined, said first and second flanges interdigitate.

11. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said first end portion is beveled to mate with a first supporting surface when the assembly is in its extended configuration and inclined to extend between supporting surfaces at different elevations.

12. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein said another first end portion is inclined relative to the length of said second molded unit so as to matingly engage a second supporting surface at a higher elevation than the first supporting surface.

13. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said first and second molded units have generally planar upper surfaces extending between said stiffening walls, said upper surfaces having non-slip means integrally formed therein to improve frictional engagement between a pet'"'"'s paws and the upper surfaces.

14. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 13 and further including screw blocks integrally formed at spaced locations on the bottom surface of said units, and further comprising a plurality of elongated legs having a threaded fastening member attached to one end thereof, each said threaded fastening member being adapted to threadably engage one of said screw blocks to form a leg for supporting said pet ramp assembly, whereby said pet ramp assembly can alternatively be used as a grooming table or the like.

15. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 12 and further comprising a network of intersecting ribs formed in the bottom surfaces of said units to increase the strength and rigidity thereof.

16. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 15 and further comprising means for locking said first and second units in at least one of said first and second configurations.

17. A pet ramp assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said means for locking includes an elongated bore formed in at least one of said sidewalls of each of said first and second units at points proximate said apertured flanges, and an elongated shaft which, when extended through the elongated bore of each said unit, locks said assembly in said extended configuration.