US4581784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ramp apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-05-07
•
Granted: 1986-04-15
•
Expires: 2004-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A ramp apparatus which provides access from a pier to a moored floating dock. The ramp is attached at its upper end by means of a double gimbel joint so as to permit the lateral and vertical motion of the dock and ramp. The lower end of the ramp is provided with wheels for permitting limited motion of the ramp over the dock surface. Also disclosed is a means for providing additional stability for the ramp particularly for wider ramps.
Inventors
- 👤 Lucien H. M. Rousseau, deceased
- 👤 executrix by Lillian E. Rousseau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:47
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01D; E01D15/00; E01D15/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A ramp apparatus for providing access between a pier and a moored floating dock and comprising, a ramp member having a pier end and a dock-end, double joint means at the end of the pier end of the ramp permitting the dock-end of the ramp to have both horizontal and vertical motion, and means at the dock end of the ramp including wheel means for permitting the dock end of the ramp to move over the dock top surface, means interconnecting between the ramp and pier for providing ramp stability while permitting limited horizontal and vertical ramp motion, said means for providing ramp stability including a pair of support members on one of said ramp and dock and extending into slots on the other of said ramp and dock.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A ramp apparatus for providing access between a pier and a moored floating dock and comprising, a ramp member having a pier end and a dock-end, double joint means at the end of the pier end of the ramp permitting the dock-end of the ramp to have both horizontal and vertical motion, and means at the dock end of the ramp including wheel means for permitting the dock end of the ramp to move over the dock top surface, means interconnecting between the ramp and pier for providing ramp stability while permitting limited horizontal and vertical ramp motion, said means for providing ramp stability including a pair of support members on one of said ramp and dock and extending into slots on the other of said ramp and dock.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wheel means comprise a pair of wheels one on either side of the ramp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the length of the ramp is greater than its width.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including spaced brackets next to said slots on the ramp for supporting therebetween a support pin against which the support member is urged.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the support members are in the form of elongated extensions supported from the pier at opposite sides thereof and disposed converging toward each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the elongated extensions are disposed under the support pins and are free to move in the slots to accommodate side-to-side and up and down motion of the ramp relative to the pier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said double joint comprises a ramp side member, a pier side member and a joint member interconnecting said ramp side member, and pier side member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 7 further comprising pin means including a horizontal pin and a vertical pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A ramp apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said horizontal pin allows the dock end of the ramp to rise and fall and wherein the vertical pin allows the dock end of the ramp to move horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the long dimension of the ramp.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
118 words
A ramp apparatus for providing access between a pier and a moored floating dock and comprising, a ramp member having a pier end and a dock-end, double joint means at the end of the pier end of the ramp permitting the dock-end of the ramp to have both horizontal and vertical motion, and means at the dock end of the ramp including wheel means for permitting the dock end of the ramp to move over the dock top surface, means interconnecting between the ramp and pier for providing ramp stability, said means interconnecting comprising a pair of support members on one of said ramp and dock and extending into slots on the other of said ramp and dock.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
A ramp apparatus for providing access between a pier and a moored floating dock and comprising, a ramp member having a pier end and a dock-end, double joint means at the end of the pier end of the ramp permitting the dock-end of the ramp to have both horizontal and vertical motion, and means at the dock end of the ramp including wheel means for permitting the dock end of the ramp to move over the dock top surface, means interconnecting between the ramp and pier for providing ramp stability, said means interconnecting comprising a pair of support members on one of said ramp and dock and extending into slots on the other of said ramp and dock.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-14 | 1989-10-14 | 1990-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-14 | 1993-10-14 | 1994-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-14 | 1997-10-14 | 1998-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |