Mat ramp securement and method

Abstract

A ramp member is provided for attachment with an edge of a floor mat to facilitate transportation of an object from a floor to an upper surface of the mat. A tab is provided which extends from the ramp member and defines a plane. Two projections extend from the plane of the tab out of alignment with the plane. Additionally, two cavities are formed in the ramp member adapted for receiving at least one of the two projections therein. A method of connecting ramp members is also included.

1 . A ramp member comprising: 
 an attachment to connect the ramp member to a floor mat;    a tab extending from the ramp member and defining a plane;    at least one projection extending from the plane of the tab out of alignment with the plane; and    at least one cavity adapted for receiving therein a projection formed on a second ramp member for connecting the ramp member to the second ramp member.    
   
   
       2 . The ramp member of  claim 1  wherein the projection formed on the second ramp member is substantially similar to the projection extending from the plane of the tab.  
   
   
       3 . The ramp member of  claim 1  wherein the at least one projection and the tab are generally transverse to one another.  
   
   
       4 . The ramp member of  claim 1  wherein a first end of the ramp member has an edge formed at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the ramp member.  
   
   
       5 . The ramp member of  claim 4  wherein the first end angled edge extends at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the ramp member.  
   
   
       6 . The ramp member of  claim 4  wherein the tab extends from the edge.  
   
   
       7 . The ramp member of  claim 1  further comprising a groove formed in a surface of the ramp member proximate the at least one cavity.  
   
   
       8 . The ramp member of  claim 1  wherein the tab extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the ramp member.  
   
   
       9 . A floor mat assembly comprising: 
 a floor mat; and    a ramp system including a plurality of ramp members; wherein    each ramp member includes an attachment to connect the ramp member to a floor mat, a tab extending from the ramp member and defining a plane, at least one projection extending from the plane of the tab out of alignment with the plane, and at least one cavity positioned in the ramp member adapted for receiving therein at least one projection formed on the tab of a second ramp member within the plurality of ramp members for connecting the ramp member to the second ramp member.    
   
   
       10 . The floor mat assembly of  claim 9  wherein the projections and the tabs are generally transverse to one another.  
   
   
       11 . The floor mat assembly of  claim 9  wherein each ramp member further comprises a groove formed in a surface of the ramp member proximate the cavity.  
   
   
       12 . The floor mat assembly of  claim 9  wherein a first end of each ramp member has an edge formed at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the ramp member.  
   
   
       13 . The floor mat assembly of  claim 12  wherein the first end angled edge of each ramp member extends at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the ramp member.  
   
   
       14 . The floor mat assembly of  claim 12  wherein the tab of each ramp member extends from the edge of the ramp member.  
   
   
       15 . The floor mat assembly of  claim 9  wherein the tab of each ramp member extends from a first end of each ramp member.  
   
   
       16 . The floor mat assembly of  claim 9  wherein each ramp member further comprises a groove formed in a surface of the ramp member proximate the at least on cavity.  
   
   
       17 . The floor mat assembly of  claim 9  wherein the tab of each ramp member extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of each ramp member.