Launch ramp and method of making same

Abstract

A launch ramp provides a conveniently portable and durable launch ramp. The launch ramp has a metal riding-plate with a concave radius-riding surface. The riding-plate has an approach end where a skateboarder enters the ramp and a launch end where the skater propels off the ramp. The riding-plate has integrally formed supports for providing sufficient support, but yet retains desirable flex in the riding surface. A stand-plate elevates the approach end at a predetermined height. The stand-plate also has integral stand-plate supports for added stability and durability. In a preferred example of the launch ramp, the launch ramp is constructed from a single sheet of aluminum-magnesium stock plate. A die press or other bending mechanism forms the single sheet into a particularly durable and stable structure. In another particular example of a launch ramp, the stand-plate may extend generally from the riding-plate at an angle that enables the stand-plate supports to provide distinct contacts with a supporting surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A launch ramp, comprising: 
 a metal riding-plate having a concave radius, the riding-plate having an approach end and a launch end;    riding-plate supports between the approach end and the launch end, the riding-plate supports being integrally formed with the riding plate;    a stand-plate integrally formed with the riding-plate and extending from the launch end toward a support surface;    stand-plate supports between the launch end and the support surface, the stand-plate supports being integrally formed with the stand plate; and    wherein the stand-plate extends from the riding-plate at about a stand angle, where the stand angle is a right angle from an imaginary ramp line extending from the launch end to the approach end.    
     
     
         2 . The launch ramp according to  claim 2 , further including stand contacts on the stand-plate supports for resting on the support surface.  
     
     
         3 . The launch ramp according to  claim 1  wherein the riding-plate is constructed to have a concave radius in the range of about 6 feet to about 10 feet.  
     
     
         4 . The launch ramp according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal is selected to be an aluminum/magnesium alloy having a thickness of about 8 gauge to about 12 gauge.  
     
     
         5 . The launch ramp according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal is selected to be an aluminum/magnesium alloy generally identified as a 5052 alloy and having a thickness of about 10 gauge.  
     
     
         6 . The launch ramp according to  claim 1 , wherein the riding-plate supports taper at the approach end to form approach contacts for resting on the support surface.  
     
     
         7 . A launch ramp, comprising: 
 a metal riding-plate having a concave radius, the riding-plate having an approach end and a launch end;    riding-plate supports between the approach end and the launch end, the riding-plate supports being integrally formed with the riding plate; and    a stand-plate extending from the launch end toward a support surface.    
     
     
         8 . The launch ramp according to  claim 7 , further including stand-plate supports between the launch end and the support surface, the stand-plate supports being integrally formed with the stand plate.  
     
     
         9 . The launch ramp according to  claim 8 , further including stand contacts on the stand-plate supports for resting on the support surface.  
     
     
         10 . The launch ramp according to  claim 7 , wherein the stand-plate is integrally formed with the riding plate.  
     
     
         11 . The launch ramp according to  claim 7 , wherein the stand plate, the riding plate, the stand-plate supports, and the riding-plate supports are integrally formed from a single stock plate.  
     
     
         12 . The launch ramp according to  claim 7  wherein the riding-plate is constructed to have a concave radius in the range of about 6 feet to about 10 feet.  
     
     
         13 . The launch ramp according to  claim 7  wherein the riding-plate is constructed to have a concave radius of about 8 feet.  
     
     
         14 . The launch ramp according to  claim 7  wherein the launch end is about 12 inches above the support surface when the launch ramp is resting on the support surface.  
     
     
         15 . The launch ramp according to  claim 7 , wherein the stand-plate extends from the riding-plate at about a stand angle, where the stand angle is a right angle from an imaginary ramp line extending from the launch end to the approach end.  
     
     
         16 . The launch ramp according to  claim 7 , wherein the distance between the approach end and the launch end is about 4 feet.  
     
     
         17 . A method of making a launch ramp, comprising: 
 providing a metal plate stock, the stock plate having an approach end and a stand end;    removing a notch from each side of the plate stock, an imaginary line extending between the notches is a stand support bend line;    bending a concave radius into the plate stock, the radius extending from the approach end to the notches and forming a radius member;    bending each side of the radius member along an imaginary bend line to form a riding-plate with integral riding-plate supports;    bending the plate stock along the stand bend line to form a stand member, the stand bent to extend at about a right angle to the imagery line extending from the approach end to the stand bend line;    bending each side of the stand member along an imaginary bend line to form a stand-plate with integral stand-plate supports; and    tapering the riding-plate supports to form approach contacts.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of forming a contact surface on the riding plate.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of welding the riding-plate supports to the stand-plate supports at the notch.