US5815870A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reversible ramp and method for fabricating same
Assignee: ROM Acquisition Corp
•
Filing: 1996-12-23
•
Granted: 1998-10-06
•
Expires: 2016-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A ramp, and a process for fabricating the ramp, wherein the ramp is reversible. First and second elongate side members which can be formed of an extruded magnesium alloy. A plurality of grates, each grate formed of die-cast aluminum, are positioned between the first and second side members to provide a load bearing platform. Tie rods are connected between the elongate side members by self-tapping screws, such that adjacent grates are separated and supported by an intermediate tie rod. Each grate has gripping nodules on upper and lower side surface thereof. One end of the ramp has a removable apron which is angularly oriented relative to the platform of the ramp for engaging with a generally flat surface, such as a dock or truck bed. The apron may be removed, the ramp turned over, and the apron re-positioned on the body of the ramp, thereby causing the upper and lower surfaces of the ramp to trade places. In this way, when the gripping nodules on a first load bearing surface of the ramp become worn, the ramp may be reversed, thereby increasing the wear life of the ramp.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith Deutch
- 👤 Rick Lavelock
- 👤 Clayton Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:47
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G69/00; B65G69/28; B65G69/30; B65G69/287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A portable ramp comprising: a substantially flat platform, having first and second ends and upper and lower surfaces, said ramp for bearing a load; gripping nodules located on said upper and lower surfaces of said platform, wherein said ramp is reversible so that said upper and lower surfaces are adapted to change places with each other; and first and second elongate support members, wherein said platform is located therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A portable ramp comprising: a substantially flat platform, having first and second ends and upper and lower surfaces, said ramp for bearing a load; gripping nodules located on said upper and lower surfaces of said platform, wherein said ramp is reversible so that said upper and lower surfaces are adapted to change places with each other; and first and second elongate support members, wherein said platform is located therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ramp as set forth in claim 1, wherein said platform further has a plurality of casting members fixedly located between said first and second elongate members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The portable ramp as set forth in claim 2, wherein each said casting member has said upper and lower surface having said gripping nodules thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The portable ramp as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a plurality of tie rods, each said tie rod positioned between and engaging with a pair of said casting members, each said tie rod having first and second outer ends joined to said first and second elongate support members, respectively, by a self-tapping fastener.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The portable ramp as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an apron located at said first end of said platform, said apron angularly oriented and releasibly mounted relative to said platform, wherein said angular orientation of said apron to said platform is fixed when said apron is attached to said platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The portable ramp as set forth in claim 5, said apron further comprising at least one hook positioned on a bottom side surface thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The portable ramp as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a transition plate located at said second end of said platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The portable ramp as set forth in claim 7, further comprising hand grips located within said platform proximate said second end of said platform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The portable ramp as set forth in claim 8 further comprising at least one wheel proximate said first end of said platform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
A portable ramp, having first and second ends, comprising: first and second elongate members extending between said first and second ends of said ramp; a plurality of grates, each said grate fixedly positioned between said elongate members and having gripping nodules on first and second side surfaces thereof; a reversible apron proximate said first end of said ramp, said apron angularly oriented relative to said surfaces of said grates, said apron detachably mounted relative to said first and second elongate members, wherein said apron is adapted for detachment from said elongate members and further adapted for reattachment to said elongate members when said combination of said elongate members and said grates is flipped over, to thereby reverse said ramp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
A portable ramp, having first and second ends, comprising: first and second elongate members extending between said first and second ends of said ramp; a plurality of grates, each said grate fixedly positioned between said elongate members and having gripping nodules on first and second side surfaces thereof; a reversible apron proximate said first end of said ramp, said apron angularly oriented relative to said surfaces of said grates, said apron detachably mounted relative to said first and second elongate members, wherein said apron is adapted for detachment from said elongate members and further adapted for reattachment to said elongate members when said combination of said elongate members and said grates is flipped over, to thereby reverse said ramp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The portable ramp as set forth in claim 10 further comprising a transition plate, for engaging with a surface, proximate said second end of said ramp, said transition plate located between said elongate members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The portable ramp as set forth in claim 10, wherein said grates are formed of die-cast material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The portable ramp as set forth in claim 12, wherein said first and second elongate members are formed of extruded material.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for fabricating a portable ramp, said method comprising: extruding a material to form first and second elongate members; die-casting a material to form a plurality of grates; and fixedly locating said grates between said extruded elongate members, thereby providing a platform for bearing a load.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for fabricating a portable ramp, said method comprising: extruding a material to form first and second elongate members; die-casting a material to form a plurality of grates; and fixedly locating said grates between said extruded elongate members, thereby providing a platform for bearing a load.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said die-casting step includes forming a plurality of nodules on each side of each said grate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein said step of extruding and step of die-casting further includes extruding and die-casting a material comprising magnesium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
A portable ramp comprising: first and second elongate side members; a plurality of casting members, each said casting member extending between said first and second side members; a plurality of tie rods, each said tie rod extending between said first and said second side member and positioned between and engaged with a corresponding pair of said casting members, wherein said tie rods are secured to said side members by self-tapping fasteners.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
71 words
A portable ramp comprising: first and second elongate side members; a plurality of casting members, each said casting member extending between said first and second side members; a plurality of tie rods, each said tie rod extending between said first and said second side member and positioned between and engaged with a corresponding pair of said casting members, wherein said tie rods are secured to said side members by self-tapping fasteners.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The portable ramp, as set forth in claim 17, wherein each said tie rod has a channel formed along each side thereof for receiving an outer side edge portion of said casting members with which it engages.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The portable ramp, as set forth in claim 18, wherein each of said first and second elongate side members has a channel, along an interior face thereof, for receiving an outer end portion of said casting members.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The portable ramp, as set forth in claim 19, wherein each said casting member has a plurality of gripping nodules located on an upper and a lower side surface thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US963889A
Cited
US2779958A
Cited
US3057271A
Cited
US3328818A
Cited
US3517791A
Cited
US3984891A
Cited
US3999397A
Cited
US4624619A
Cited
US5347672A
Cited
US5325558A
Cited
US5540474A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-05 | 2002-04-06 | 2002-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-05 | 2006-04-06 | 2006-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-05 | 2010-04-06 | 2010-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |