Hinge apparatus

Abstract

A foldable ramp apparatus. The ramp apparatus comprises a first and second ramp member. The first ramp includes a channel insert, and the second ramp includes an arcuate insert. The arcuate insert is configured to pivotally engage the channel insert. The arcuate insert has a curved apex that is adapted to be received within an elongated channel of the channel insert. A slotted segment is formed on a pair of legs that extends from the arcuate insert. A corresponding slotted segment formed on a pair of legs that extends from the channel insert. A cross-member is placed within the slotted segment interconnecting the pair of legs. In the preferred embodiment, the ramp apparatus further comprises a first lip formed on the arcuate portion and configured to engage an underside of the first leg and the second leg of the first ramp as well as the slotted segment. A second lip may be formed on the grooved portion and configured to engage an underside of the first leg and the second leg of the second ramp. Additionally, a first ledge is formed on the arcuate insert and a second ledge is formed on the channel insert, with the first and second ledge being operatively inserted into the slotted segment to attach the legs to the arcuate and channel insert.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A ramp apparatus comprising: 
 a first rectangular ramp member;    a arcuate insert attached to said first ramp member;    a second rectangular ramp member;    a channel insert attached to said second ramp member;    and wherein said arcuate insert is configured to pivotally engage said channel insert.    
     
     
         2 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first rectangular ramp member includes a first leg and a second leg, and wherein the ramp apparatus her comprises: 
 a slotted segment formed on a first side of said first leg;  
 a corresponding slotted segment formed on a first side of said second leg;  
 a cross-member placed within said slotted segment interconnecting said first leg and said second leg.  
 
     
     
         3 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said second rectangular ramp member includes a third leg and a fourth leg, and wherein the ramp apparatus further comprises: 
 a slotted segment formed on a first side of said third leg;  
 a corresponding slotted segment formed on a first side of said fourth leg;  
 a cross-member placed within said slotted segment interconnecting said third leg and said fourth leg.  
 
     
     
         4 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising: 
 a first ledge formed on said arcuate insert, said first ledge being received within said slotted segment of said first rectangular ramp member.  
 
     
     
         5 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising: 
 a second ledge formed on said channel insert, said second ledge being received within said slotted segment of said second rectangular ramp member.  
 
     
     
         6 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 a first lip formed on said arcuate insert and configured to engage an underside of said first leg and said second leg of said second rectangular ramp.  
 
     
     
         7 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 a second lip formed on said channel insert and configured to engage an underside of said first leg and said second leg of said first rectangular ramp.  
 
     
     
         8 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said cross-member placed between said first and second leg and said cross-member placed between said third and fourth leg is a cross-mesh aluminum metal member.  
     
     
         9 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said cross-member placed between said first and second leg and said cross-member placed between said third and fourth leg is a plurality of aluminum metal bars.  
     
     
         10 . A hinge apparatus comprising: 
 an arcuate member having a first side and a second side; and a first leg extending from said first side and a second leg extending from said second side;    a channel member having a third side and a fourth side; and a third leg extending from said third side and a fourth leg extending from said fourth side, and wherein the arcuate member has a curved apex that is adapted to be received within said channel member;    and wherein said arcuate member is configured to engage said channel member.    
     
     
         11 . The hinge apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said first leg, second leg, third leg, and fourth leg comprise: an elongated tubular member having a passage formed thereon; and wherein said channel member contains a first protrusion that engages said passage of said first leg; a second protrusion that engages said passage of said second leg; and wherein said arcuate member contains a third protrusion that engages said passage of said third leg; and, a fourth protrusion that engages said passage of said fourth leg.  
     
     
         12 . The hinge apparatus further comprising: 
 a first lip extending from said first side of said channel member, and wherein said first lip is adopted to engage an underside of said first leg;    a second lip extending from said second side of said channel member, and wherein said second lip is adopted to engage an underside of said second leg.    
     
     
         13 . The hinge apparatus further comprising: 
 a third lip extending from said first side of said arcuate member, and wherein said third lip is adopted to engage an underside of said third leg;    a fourth lip extending from said second side of said arcuate member, and wherein said fourth lip is adopted to engage an underside of said fourth leg.    
     
     
         14 . A ramp apparatus comprising: 
 a first ramp member having a first leg and a second leg, and wherein said first and second leg contain a first elongated slot;    a channel insert adapted within said first elongated slot;    a second ramp member having a third leg and a fourth leg, and wherein said third and fourth leg contain a second elongated slot;    an arcuate insert adapted within said second elongated slot; and wherein said arcuate insert is configured to pivotally engage said channel insert;    a first cross-member placed within said first elongated slot interconnecting said first leg and said second leg;    and wherein said arcuate insert has a curved apex that is adapted to be received within an elongated channel of said channel insert.    
     
     
         15 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 a second cross-member placed within said second elongated slot interconnecting said third leg and said fourth leg.  
 
     
     
         16 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a first ledge member extending from said channel insert, said first ledge member being received within said first elongated slot of said first rectangular ramp member.  
 
     
     
         17 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 a second ledge member extending from said arcuate insert, said second ledge member being received within said second elongated slot of said second rectangular ramp member.  
 
     
     
         18 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 a first lip formed on said arcuate insert and configured to engage an underside of said third leg and said fourth leg of said second rectangular ramp.  
 
     
     
         19 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising: 
 a second lip formed on said channel insert configured to engage an underside of said first leg and said second leg of said first rectangular ramp.  
 
     
     
         20 . The ramp apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said cross-member placed between said first and second leg and said cross-member placed between said third and fourth leg are constructed of a aluminum metal member.