RAMP ASSEMBLY INCLUDING EXTENSION SECTION

• US 20070237615A1
• Filed: 04/06/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 7,950,094 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/467
• 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; and

(b) an extension section extending 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.

2. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the ramp platform includes a first transition plate extending from the end of the ramp platform.

3. The ramp assembly of claim 2, wherein the extension section has a stepped surface designed and configured to interface with the first transition plate.

4. The ramp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a coupling system for coupling the extension section to the ramp platform.

5. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the extension section is permanently coupled to the ramp platform.

6. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the extension section is removably coupled to the ramp platform.

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

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

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

10. The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the extension section includes a lip and the first end of the ramp platform includes a lip receiving channel, such that the lip is releasably received in the lip receiving channel.

11. A ramp assembly, comprising:

(a) a ramp platform having a top substantially planar tread surface; and

(b) an extension section extending outwardly from an 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.

12. The ramp assembly of claim 11, wherein the tread surface of at least one of the proximal and distal sloping portions is a substantially non-planar tread surface.

13. The ramp assembly of claim 12, 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.

14. The ramp assembly of claim 11, wherein the tread surface of at least one of the proximal and distal sloping portions is a substantially planar tread surface.

15. The ramp assembly of claim 11, 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.

16. An extension section for a ramp platform, comprising:

(a) a first sloping portion including a lip releasably receivable by a lip receiving channel in a ramp platform;

(b) a second sloping portion oriented with respect to the first sloping section such that the first and second sloping portions converge to form an obtuse angle at their juncture; and

(c) a fastening device for releasably fastening the extension section to the ramp platform.

17. The extension section of claim 16, wherein the first sloping portion has a stepped surface designed and configured to interface with the ramp platform.

18. The extension section of claim 16, wherein the extension section includes a lip designed and configured to be releasably received by a lip receiving channel in the ramp platform.

19. The ramp assembly of claim 16, wherein the obtuse angle is in the range of about 150 to about 170 degrees.

20. The ramp assembly of claim 16, wherein the obtuse angle is about 160 degrees.