Apparatus for allowing wheeled negotiation of an obstacle

• US 6,269,508 B1
• Filed: 09/15/1999
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lloyd F. Younce
• Original Assignee: Lloyd F. Younce
• Inventors: Younce, Lloyd F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAGMAN, FREDERICK LYNDON
• Application Number:
  US09/397,299
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 14/695, 14/711, 14/725, 404/34, 404/35, D34/32
• US Class Current: 14/69.5
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/30 Non-permanently installed loading ramps, e.g. transportable

Abstract

Apparatus for allowing wheeled passage between a first surface and a second surface separated by an obstacle, the apparatus comprising a base positionable on the first surface, and a framework having a proximal end mounted to the base and a distal end positionable on the second surface, the framework movable between a collapsed condition and an extended condition defining a substantially planar support surface between the proximal and distal ends for allowing wheeled passage between the first surface and the second surface.

Claims

1. Apparatus for allowing wheeled passage between a first surface and a second surface separated by an obstacle comprising:

a base positionable on the first surface;

a framework having a proximal extremity mounted to the base and a distal extremity positionable on the second surface, the framework movable between a collapsed condition and an extended condition defining a substantially planar support surface between the proximal and distal extremities for allowing wheeled passage between the first surface and the second surface; and

extensions supported adjacent the proximal extremity at spaced intervals, the extensions mounted to the base for reciprocal movement for permitting movement of the framework between the collapsed and extended conditions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collapsed condition comprises a pleated condition.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the framework comprises a plurality of plates arranged for movement between the collapsed condition and the extended condition.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the collapsed condition comprises a pleated condition.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extensions are captured for reciprocal movement in an elongate groove defined by the base.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further including stop structure carried by the framework and engagable with an edge of the first surface in the extended condition of the framework.

7. Apparatus for allowing wheeled passage between a first surface and a second surface separated by an obstacle comprising:

a base positionable on the first surface, the base defining a head and opposing faces that meet to form an edge;

a framework having a proximal extremity mounted to the head and a distal extremity positionable on the second surface, the framework movable between a collapsed condition and an extended condition defining a substantially planar support surface between the proximal and distal extremities for allowing wheeled passage between the first surface and the second surface; and

extensions supported adjacent the proximal extremity at spaced intervals, the extensions mounted to the head for reciprocal movement for permitting movement of the framework between the collapsed and extended conditions.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the collapsed condition comprises a pleated condition.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the framework comprises a plurality of plates arranged for movement between the collapsed condition and the extended condition.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the collapsed condition comprises a pleated condition.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the extensions are captured for reciprocal movement in an elongate groove defined at the head.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, further including stop structure carried by the framework and engagable with an edge of the first surface in the extended condition of the framework.

13. Apparatus for allowing wheeled passage between a first surface and a second surface separated by an obstacle comprising:

a base positionable on the first surface;

a framework having a proximal extremity mounted to the base and a distal extremity positionable on the second surface, the framework movable between a pleated condition and an extended condition defining a substantially planar support surface between the proximal and distal extremities for allowing wheeled passage between the first surface and the second surface; and

extensions supported adjacent the proximal extremity at spaced intervals, the extensions mounted to the base for reciprocal movement for permitting movement of the framework between the pleated and extended conditions.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the framework comprises a plurality of plates arranged for movement between the pleated condition and the extended condition.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the extensions are captured for reciprocal movement in an elongate groove defined by the base.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, further including stop structure carried by the framework and engagable with an edge of the first surface in the extended condition of the framework.