Ramp assembly including extension section

• US 7,950,094 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2007
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Homecare Products, Inc
• Original Assignee: Homecare Products, Inc
• Inventors: Bailie, David A., Celich, Mark S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartmann; Gary S
• Application Number:
  US11/697,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20070237615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 14/695, 119/847, 119/849
• US Class Current: 14/69.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/43 using a loading ramp mounted on the vehicle loading ramps per se B65G69/28
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/30 Non-permanently installed loading ramps, e.g. transportable

Abstract

A ramp assembly generally includes a ramp platform having a top substantially planar tread surface and an extension section extending outwardly from an end of the ramp platform. The extension section has proximal and distal sloping portions that converge at a juncture forming an obtuse angle therebetween.

Claims

1. A ramp assembly, comprising:

(a) a ramp platform having a top substantially planar tread surface, wherein the ramp platform includes a first transition plate extending from the end of the ramp platform and a lip receiving channel; and

(b) an extension section releasably coupleable to the first transition plate of the ramp platform such that the extension section extends outwardly from an end of the ramp platform, wherein the extension section has proximal and distal sloping portions that converge at a juncture forming an obtuse angle therebetween, wherein the extension section defines a stepped surface configured to interface with the first transition plate, and a lip that is releasably received in the lip receiving channel.

2. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the extension section includes at least one reinforcement device.

3. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the obtuse angle is in the range of about 150 to about 170 degrees.

4. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the obtuse angle is about 160 degrees.

5. A ramp assembly, comprising:

(a) a ramp platform having a top substantially planar tread surface, wherein the ramp platform includes a lip receiving channel disposed along an end thereof; and

(b) an extension section coupleable to the ramp platform such that the extension section extends outwardly from the end of the ramp platform, wherein the extension section includes a proximal sloping portion having a tread surface that slopes upwardly with respect to the end of the ramp platform, a distal sloping portion having a tread surface that slopes downwardly relative to the slope of the tread surface of the proximal sloping portion, and a crest at the convergence of the tread surfaces of the proximal and distal sloping portions, wherein the crest is spaced from the end of the ramp platform, and wherein the extension section defines a lip configured to be releasably received in the lip receiving channel.

6. The ramp assembly of claim 5, wherein the tread surface of at least one of the proximal and distal sloping portions is a substantially non-planar tread surface.

7. The ramp assembly of claim 6, wherein the tread surface of at least one of the proximal and distal sloping portions is at least one of a curved, curvilinear, and an arcuate tread surface.

8. The ramp assembly of claim 5, wherein the tread surface of at least one of the proximal and distal sloping portions is a substantially planar tread surface.

9. The ramp assembly of claim 5, wherein a first plane having a slope equal to the slope of the proximal sloping portion at a first end region of the extension section and a second plane having a slope equal to the slope of the distal sloping portion at a second end region of the extension section converge at a juncture forming an obtuse angle therebetween.