1. Field
The present invention relates generally to vehicular ramps. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention concern ramps that are nestable.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Ramps and lifts have long been used to elevate automobiles and other types of vehicles above a ground or floor surface. Prior art vehicle ramps present various shapes and sizes. Conventional ramps are generally designed and constructed to receive and support largely vertical loads associated with the weight of a vehicle. It is also known in the art to have ramp-type structures that are nestable with one another for easy shipping, transportation, and storage. However, prior art vehicle ramps suffer from various undesirable limitations.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle ramp that does not suffer from the problems and limitations set forth above.
A first embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle ramp to engage and support a wheel in an elevated position spaced above the ground. The vehicle ramp broadly includes an elongated body and an upright column. The elongated body forms at least part of a platform section to support the wheel in the elevated position and at least part of an inclined ramp section to permit the wheel to be rolled between the elevated position and a position on the ground. The platform and inclined ramp sections cooperatively present a ground-engaging lower surface and a wheel-supporting upper surface. The upright column is substantially surrounded by the body. The column presents respective parts of the upper surface and extends downwardly therefrom. The column is defined along the upper surface by a surrounding groove that intersects the upper surface and extends endlessly about the column so that the column is isolated from the body along the upper surface.
A second embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of nestable vehicle ramps to support a wheel in an elevated position spaced above the ground. Each of the nestable vehicle ramps broadly includes a body and an upright column. The body is operable to support the wheel in the elevated position and to permit the wheel to be rolled between the elevated position and a position on the ground. The body includes upright side walls and an upper wall that interconnects and extends between the side walls. The upper wall presents a wheel-supporting upper surface that defines an upper surface area. The body defines an inner chamber between the walls and an open face communicating with the inner chamber. The open face defines a face area that is greater than the upper surface area so that the upper surface of one of the vehicle ramps can be received through the open face and at least partly within the inner chamber of the other of the vehicle ramps. The upright column is substantially surrounded by the body. The column presents part of the upper surface and projects downwardly from the upper surface to define a hollow center spaced below the upper surface, with the column of one ramp received in the hollow center of the other ramp when the one ramp is received through the open face of the other ramp. The column is defined along the upper surface by a groove that intersects the upper surface and extends endlessly about the column so that the column is isolated from the body along the upper surface.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
a is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the vehicle ramp similar to
The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiment.
Turning initially to
Turning to
The rear wall 36 is unitary and projects upwardly from a lower margin that forms the distal trailing edge 46 to an upper margin 56. The rear wall 36 also presents a pair of openings 58 located along side one another. The stop wall 38 projects downwardly and rearwardly from the upper margin 56. As will be discussed, the stop wall 38 serves to restrict distal wheel movement when the wheel W is on the platform wall 34.
An embodiment of the ramp wall 32 includes proximal and distal ramp wall sections 60,62. The proximal ramp wall section 60 extends distally from the leading edge 44 and presents a foot opening 64 and a distal opening 66. The distal ramp wall sections 62 are spaced distally from wall section 60 and extend to a laterally extending ridge 68. The wall sections 62 each present a proximal and distal openings 70,72. The wall sections 60,62 cooperatively form an upper ramp surface 74. Furthermore, the wall sections 60,62 cooperatively define an open face 76 to receive the ramp columns 26 in a position located between the openings 66,70. The wall sections 60,62 extend laterally to and are integrally formed with upper ridges of the respective side walls 30.
The illustrated upper ramp surface 74 includes corrugations 78. The illustrated corrugations 78 are in the form of a conventional diamond tread pattern. However, the corrugations 78 could take other forms, as will be shown in a subsequent embodiment. The wall sections 60,62 are shaped so that the upper ramp surface is generally planar. However, it is within the scope of the present invention for the upper ramp surface 74 to have an alternative form, such as one or more concave and/or convex shapes.
An embodiment of the platform wall 34 includes proximal and distal platform wall sections 80,82. The proximal wall sections 80 extend distally from the ridge 68. Distal wall sections 82 extend proximally from a lower margin 84 of the stop wall 38. The proximal platform wall sections 80 each present openings 86. The distal platform wall sections 82 each present proximal and distal openings 88,90, and extend to the lower margin 84 presented by the stop wall 38. The wall sections 80,82 cooperatively form an upper platform surface 92. Furthermore, the wall sections 80,82 cooperatively define an open face 94 to receive the platform column 28 in a position located between the openings 86,88. The ridge 68 is spaced apart from the stop wall 38 so that the ridge 68 and stop wall 38 cooperatively restrict rolling wheel movement when the wheel W is received on the platform. The wall sections 80,82 extend laterally to and are integrally formed with upper ridges of the respective side walls 30.
The illustrated upper platform surface 92 also includes corrugations 78. Again, the illustrated corrugations 78 are in the form of a conventional diamond tread pattern, but could take other forms. The wall sections 80,82 are shaped so that the upper platform surface 92 is slightly concave in a longitudinal direction (see
Turning to
The groove wall sections 96a meet to form a generally V-shaped cross section. Furthermore, the groove wall sections 96a preferably define lateral and longitudinal grooves 102a,b that preferably have a generally downwardly tapering triangular cross sectional shape (see
In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral grooves 102a intersect respective side walls 30. However, for some aspects of the present invention, the lateral grooves 102a could have an alternative configuration. Furthermore, the vehicle ramp 20 could be devoid of one or more lateral grooves 102a. The illustrated lateral grooves 102a also intersect respective upper ramp and platform surfaces 74,92 to define respective open groove faces. Each open groove face of the lateral grooves 102a presents an area that is greater than that of the associated lower wall margin 106.
The longitudinal grooves 102b extend generally along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle ramp 20. The illustrated grooves 102 intersect corresponding grooves that surround the columns 26,28. Also, the distal-most longitudinal groove 102b preferably intersects the rear wall 36. However, for some aspects of the present invention, the longitudinal grooves 102b could have an alternative configuration. Yet further, the vehicle ramp 20 could be devoid of one or more of the longitudinal grooves 102b. The longitudinal grooves 102b also intersect respective upper ramp and platform surfaces 74,92 to define respective open groove faces. Each open groove face of the lateral grooves 102a presents an area that is greater than that of the associated lower wall margin 106.
The base wall sections 98 each include a continuous wall in a plurality of spaced apart upright ridges 104 integral thereto (see
The lower margins 48b of side walls 30, leading and trailing edges 44,46, and lower wall margins 106 cooperatively form a ground-engaging lower surface of the ramp body 22 (see
An embodiment of the interior ribs 42 include longitudinal ribs 42a, lateral rib 42b, and gussets 42c. The longitudinal ribs 42a extend continuously between the leading and trailing edges 44,46 and are preferably integrally formed with the ramp and platform walls 32,34. The lateral rib 42b is spaced distally from and extends generally parallel to the leading edge 44. The lateral rib 42b and gussets 42c are also preferably integrally formed with respective ramp and platform walls 32,34.
The illustrated side walls 30, ramp wall 32, platform wall 34, rear wall 36, and stop wall 38 cooperatively define a body inner chamber 107a, which receives the interior walls and ribs 40,42 (see
The foot 24 is preferably unitary and includes a base 108 and a retainer 110 integrally formed with one another. The base 108 presents a corrugated bottom surface 112 operable to engage ground G (see
The illustrated columns 26,28 cooperate with the ramp body 22 to support the wheel W. Preferably, the ramp column 26 includes a ramp wall section 122 and integrally formed grooved wall sections 124 that cooperatively define a hollow center 125 (see
The groove wall sections 124 extend downwardly to meet with respective groove wall sections 96b of the ramp body 22 to form a generally V-shaped cross section. Furthermore, the groove wall sections 124,96b define grooves 126 that have a generally downwardly tapering triangular cross sectional shape. However, the principles of the present invention are also applicable where the groove wall sections 124,96b could have an alternative downwardly tapering cross sectional shape, such as a trapezoidal shape to prevent ramp nesting. Thus, the ramp column 26 and ramp body 22 cooperatively form an inclined ramp section 128 of the vehicle ramp 20.
An embodiment of the platform column 28 includes a platform wall section 130 and integrally formed grooved wall sections 132 that cooperatively define a hollow center 133. The illustrated platform wall section 130 also has a hexagonal shape, with groove wall sections 132 projecting downwardly from respective edges of the platform wall section 130. However as will be shown in a subsequent embodiment, the principles of the present invention are applicable where the ramp and platform walls 122,130 have an alternative shape.
The groove wall sections 132 extend downwardly to meet with respective groove wall sections 96b of the ramp body 22 to form a generally V-shaped cross section. Furthermore, the groove wall sections 132 define grooves 134 that have a generally downwardly tapering triangular cross section shape. However it is also within the scope of the present invention for the groove wall sections 132,96b to present an alternative cross sectional shape. For instance, the grooves 134 could have an alternative downwardly tapering cross sectional shape, such as a trapezoidal shape, to permit ramp nesting. Thus, the platform column 28 and body 22 cooperatively form a platform section 136 of the vehicle ramp 20.
The illustrated ramp and platform walls 122,130 cooperate with the upper body surface to form an upper ramp surface to support the wheel W. The illustrated columns 26,28 are preferably substantially surrounded by the ramp body 22, although the columns and body could be alternatively configured without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The illustrated grooves 126,134 intersect the upper body surface of the ramp body 22 to define respective open groove faces. Each open groove face preferably presents an area that is greater than that of the associated lower wall margin 106. Furthermore, the grooves 126,134 extend endlessly about the respective columns 26,28 to surround and isolate each column from the ramp body 22 along the upper body surface.
The hollow centers 125,133 communicate with respective open column faces 138,140 (see
Turning to
Additional forward movement of the vehicle causes the wheels to roll up the ramps section 128 and into engagement with the ramp wall 32. Continued forward movement of the vehicle causes the wheels to roll over the ridge 68 and onto the platform section 136. The wheels then roll into engagement with the stop wall 38 and the platform wall 34. Thus, the stop wall 38 and ridge 68 cooperatively restrict rolling wheel movement when the wheel is received on the platform section 136.
Similarly, the wheels can be removed from the supported position by rolling the wheels in a generally rearward direction. Initially, the wheels are rolled from the platform section 136 to the ramp section 128 by rolling over the ridge 68. The wheels are then rolled out of engagement with the vehicle ramps 20 by rolling the wheels over the leading edge 44.
Turning to
Again, the hollow centers 125,133 communicate with respective open column faces 138,140 (see
Also, when the illustrated ramps 20 are nested with one another, lower wall margins 106 are at least partly received in the associated groove 102,126,134. More preferably, when the ramps 20 are nested, the lower wall margins 106 presented by base wall sections 98 of one vehicle ramp 20 engage a corresponding base wall section 98 of the other vehicle ramp 20 (see
Turning to
The illustrated vehicle ramp 200 includes a ramp body 202, foot 204, and ramp and platform columns 206,208. The ramp body 202 includes a pair of side walls 210 an alternative ramp wall 212, an alternative platform wall 214, a rear wall 216, a stop wall 218, alternative interior walls 220, and alternative interior ribs 222.
The ramp wall 212 includes alternative ramp wall sections 224a,b. The wall section 224a extends distally from the leading edge of the ramp 200 and presents a foot opening 226 and a distal opening 228. The wall sections 224b each represent proximal and distal openings 230,232. The wall sections 224 cooperatively form an upper ramp surface 234 with lateral corrugation 236. Furthermore, the wall sections 224 cooperatively define an open face 238 to receive the ramp column 206 in a position located between the openings 228,230.
The platform wall 214 includes proximal and distal platform wall sections 240a,b. Proximal wall sections 240a extend distally from ridge 242, and distal wall sections 240b extend proximally from the stop wall 218. The proximal wall sections 240a each present openings 244. The distal wall sections 240b each present proximal and distal openings 246,248. The wall sections 240a,b cooperatively form an upper platform surface 250 with lateral corrugations 252. Furthermore, the wall sections 240a,b cooperatively define an open face 254 to receive the platform column 208 in a position located between the openings 244,246. The ridge 242 is spaced apart from the stop wall 218 so that the ridge 242 and stop wall 218 cooperatively restrict rolling wheel movement when the wheel is received on the platform.
The interior walls 220 include groove wall sections 256 and base wall sections 258. The groove wall sections 256 extend continuously from respective sections of the ramp and platform walls 212,214 to lower groove margin. The illustrated groove wall sections 256 have a generally curved shape so that the wall sections extend corresponding columns 206,208.
The illustrated columns 206,208 cooperate with the ramp body 202 to support the wheel. The ramp column 206 includes a ramp wall section 260 and integrally formed groove wall sections 262. The illustrated ramp wall section 260 has a generally oval-shape, with groove wall sections projecting downwardly from respective edges of the ramp wall section 260.
The platform column 208 includes a platform wall section 264 and integrally formed groove wall sections 266. The illustrated platform wall section 264 also has an oval-shape, with groove wall sections 266 projecting downwardly from respective edges of the platform wall section 264.
The forms of the invention described above are not to be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
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