Loading ramp device which rolls up for storage

Abstract

A loading ramp structure is provided which is constructed out of a plurality of relatively small and rectangular links that are joined end to end to form a span of any desired length. Moreover, the manner in which these links are joined together allows the span to be rolled up for storage when it is not in use and to be easily unrolled to form a ridged span when it is to be employed in the loading or unloading of wheeled load materials such as small supplementary vehicles.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A loading ramp device comprising: 
 a plurality of rectangular links each of said links having a top surface, a bottom surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, a first joining surface and a second joining surface;    each of said links further defining a tongue supplied on said first joining surface such that said tongue is closer to said bottom surface of said link than said top surface of said link, said tongue further defining a pin hole;    each of said links further defining a tongue receptor on said second joining surface such that said tongue receptor is closer to said bottom surface of said link than said top surface of said link said tongue receptor being directly across said link from said tongue;    a pin for holding said tongue of a first link into a tongue receptor so that said links can move between a first extended position and a second coiled position;    said first extended position is defined by said first joining surface of a link being in contact with said second joining surface of a second link such that when said links are in a first extended position said links form an elongate ramp with a first and second end that can withstand a load placed upon said top surface; and    said second coiled position is defined by rotating a first link toward a second link such that said bottom surface of said first link moves toward the bottom surface of said second link such that said plurality of rectangular links may be placed in substantially circular storage coil.    
     
     
         2 . A loading ramp device as in  claim 1  further comprising a first and second ramp foot said ramp feet being substantially wedge shaped such that when said first and second ramp feet are attached to said first and second ends of said elongate ramp they form a first and second tapered end to said elongate ramp.  
     
     
         3 . A loading ramp device as in  claim 2  wherein said first joining surface and second joining surface of said links is formed such that when said surfaces are in contact to form said elongate ramp the top surface of said links form the top surface of said elongate ramp and the top surface of said elongate ramp forms a slight upward arch.  
     
     
         4 . A loading ramp device as in  claim 3  wherein said top surface of said links define a contoured gripping surface.  
     
     
         5 . A loading ramp device as in  claim 4  further comprising a support cable attached to a right side surface of a first link and extending to a right side surface of a second link so as to support said elongate ramp when in said extended position.  
     
     
         6 . A loading ramp device as in  claim 2  wherein said top surface of said links further defines a plurality of slots.  
     
     
         7 . A loading ramp device as in  claim 6  wherein said links are comprised of a series of I-beam sections.  
     
     
         8 . A loading ramp device as in  claim 7  wherein said I-beams cross said links in a diagonal fashion from the first joining surface to the second joining surface.  
     
     
         9 . A roll-up elongate loading ramp comprising: 
 a plurality of rectangular links each of said links having a top surface, a bottom surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, a first joining surface and a second joining surface said links defining an inner volume that is substantially void;    each of said links further defining a nob section supplied on said first joining surface such that said nob section is closer to said bottom surface of said link than said top surface of said link, said nob section further defining a pin hole;    each of said links further defining a nob section receptor on said second joining surface such that said nob section receptor is closer to said bottom surface of said link than said top surface of said link said tongue receptor being directly across said link from said tongue;    a pin for holding said nob section of a first link into a nob section receptor so that said links can move between a first extended position and a second coiled position;    said first extended position is defined by said first joining surface of a link being in contact with said second joining surface of a second link such that when said links are in a first extended position said links form an elongate loading ramp with a first and second end that can withstand a load placed upon said top surface; and    said second coiled position is defined by rotating a first link toward a second link such that said bottom surface of said first link moves toward the bottom surface of said second link such that said plurality of rectangular links may be placed in substantially circular storage coil.    
     
     
         10 . A roll-up elongate loading ramp as in  claim 9  further comprising a first and second ramp foot said ramp feet being substantially wedge shaped such that when said first and second ramp feet are attached to said first and second ends of said elongate loading ramp they form a first and second tapered end to said elongate ramp.  
     
     
         11 . A roll-up elongate loading ramp as in  claim 10  wherein said top surface of said links further defines a plurality of slots.  
     
     
         12 . A roll-up elongate loading ramp as in  claim 11  wherein said links are comprised of a series of I-beam sections.  
     
     
         13 . A roll-up elongate loading ramp as in  claim 12  wherein said I-beams cross said links in a diagonal fashion from the first joining surface to the second joining surface within said inner volume.  
     
     
         14 . A roll-up elongate loading ramp as in  claim 13  wherein said first joining surface and second joining surface of said links is formed such that when said surfaces are in contact to form said elongate loading ramp the top surface of said links form the top surface of said elongate loading ramp and the top surface of said elongate loading ramp forms a slight upward arch.  
     
     
         15 . A roll-up elongate loading ramp as in  claim 14  wherein said top surface of said links further defines a contoured gripping surface.