Ramp and method of construction

• US RE41,851 E1
• Filed: 03/24/2008
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motis LLC (Pensador Resources, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Richard N. Heinz
• Inventors: Heinz, Richard N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Addie, Raymond W
• Application Number:
  US12/053,985
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 14/695, 14/711, 254/88, 472 88- 90
• US Class Current: 14/69.5
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 21/047 of foam
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/102 synthetic resin or rubber layer being a foamed layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/26 Polymeric coating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/0228 Aromatic vinyl resin, e.g. styrenic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/536 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/54 Yield strength; Tensile strength
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/00 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/065 of foam
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 29/007 next to a foam layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/04 characterised by at least one layer folded at the edge, e.g. over another layer ; characterised by at least one layer enveloping or enclosing a material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/263 characterised by a layer having non-uniform thickness
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/243 Ramps
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2325/06 Polystyrene
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2475/02 Polyureas
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/047 with only one layer of a composition containing a polymer binder with more layers C08J7/042

Abstract

A ramp constructed of an expanded plastic foam parallelepiped core encased in a thick coating of polyurea provides a lightweight, stable ramp suitable for vehicle servicing. A low angle, long length ramp of a low weight is provided. Heavy duty versions have on edge panels embedded in the core.

Claims

1. A ramp comprising a core comprised of a parallelepiped substantially solid block of low density plastic foam with a front face at an entry end sloping from a bottom side to a substantially horizontal top surface;

and

a polyurea coating applied over the core to encase said core therein and substantially strengthen said core as well as providing a durable ramp surface.

2. The ramp according to claim 1 wherein said polyurea coating has a thickness on the order of 35-65 mils.

3. The ramp according to claim 1 wherein said low density plastic foam core is constructed of expanded polystyrene foam.

4. The ramp according to claim 1 wherein said polyurea coating has a top coat of polyurea applied thereto.

5. The ramp according to claim 1 wherein said core has a panel extending on edge between said top face and said bottom side embedded within said plastic foam block.

6. The ramp according to claim 5 wherein said core has a plurality of on edge sheets of spaced panels embedded in said low density plastic foam block.

7. The ramp according to claim 6 1 wherein a plastic, cardboard or plywood panel covers each side a surface of said core.

8. The ramp according to claim 1 wherein said sloping front face is at an angle on the order of 10°

from the bottom side.

9. The ramp according to claim 8 wherein said ramp is of a length ranging from about 5 feet to 6 feet.

10. The ramp according to claim 3 wherein said expanded polystyrene foam core is of a density ranging from 1 to 6 pounds per cubic foot.

11. A ramp comprising:

a core comprising a substantially solid block of low density polymer foam with a front face at an entry end sloping from a bottom side to a position adjacent a substantially horizontal surface; and

a polyurea coating applied over the core to encase said core therein and substantially strengthen said core as well as providing a durable ramp surface.

12. The ramp according to claim 11, wherein said polyurea coating has a thickness on the order of 25-65 mils.

13. The ramp according to claim 11, wherein said low density plastic foam core is constructed of expanded polystyrene foam.

14. The ramp according to claim 11, wherein said polyurea coating has a top coat of polyurea applied thereto.

15. The ramp according to claim 11, wherein said core has a panel extending on edge between said top face and said bottom side embedded within said plastic foam block.

16. The ramp according to claim 15, wherein said core has a plurality of spaced panels embedded in said low density plastic foam block.

17. The ramp according to claim 11, wherein a plastic, cardboard or plywood panel covers a surface of said core.

18. The ramp according to claim 11, wherein said sloping front face is at an angle on the order of 10°

from the bottom side.

19. The ramp according to claim 18, wherein said ramp is of a length ranging from about 5 feet to 6 feet.

20. The ramp according to claim 13, wherein said expanded polystyrene foam core is of a density ranging from 1 to 6 pounds per cubic foot.

21. A composite structure for supporting a vehicle comprising:

a core comprising a substantially solid block of low density plastic foam;

at least one reinforcing panel reinforcing said core; and

a polyurea coating applied over the core and reinforcing panel to encase said core and reinforcing panel therein and substantially strengthen said core as well as providing a durable surface.

22. The composite structure according to claim 21, wherein said polyurea coating has a thickness on the order of 25-65 mils.

23. The composite structure according to claim 21, wherein said low density plastic foam core is constructed of expanded polystyrene foam.

24. The composite structure according to claim 21, wherein said polyurea coating has a top coat of polyurea applied thereto.

25. The composite structure according to claim 21, wherein said reinforcing panel extends on edge between a top face and a bottom side embedded within said plastic foam block.

26. The composite structure according to claim 25, wherein said core has a plurality of spaced panels embedded in said low density plastic foam block.

27. The composite structure according to claim 21, wherein said reinforcing panel is a plastic, cardboard or plywood panel covering at least one surface of said core.

28. The composite structure according to claim 21, wherein said composite structure includes a front face at an entry end sloping at an angle on the order of 10°

from a bottom side to a substantially horizontal top surface.

29. The composite structure according to claim 28, wherein said front face is of a length ranging from about 5 feet to 6 feet.

30. The composite structure according to claim 23, wherein said expanded polystyrene foam core is of a density ranging from 1 to 6 pounds per cubic foot.

31. A composite structure for supporting a vehicle comprising:

a core comprising a substantially solid block of low density plastic foam;

at least one support surface on said core configured and arranged to receive and support a vehicle wheel; and

a polyurea coating applied over the core to encase said core therein and substantially strengthen said core as well as providing a durable surface.

32. The composite structure according to claim 31, wherein said polyurea coating has a thickness on the order of 25-65 mils.

33. The composite structure according to claim 31, wherein said low density plastic foam core is constructed of expanded polystyrene foam.