Portable ramp and loa support assembly

Abstract

A portable ramp and load support assembly including a pair of rigid, elongated, first and second ramp components hinged together at adjoining ends by a simple pivot pin. The apparatus is made of light-weight, injection molded plastic material, and is provided with a resilient, non-slip surface on its upper side. The ground-engaging end and vehicle-engaging end are also specially configured to prevent slippage and dislodgment during use. The assembly also includes a plurality of accessory parts that enable the ramp to have utility in numerous applications other than its use as a ramp. The assembly provides a sturdy, light-weight, long-lasting and easily cleanable ramp apparatus suitable for use by dog and other large animal owners with SUVs, pickups, RV's and station wagons. The assembly also includes disconnectable legs for allowing the ramp apparatus to be used as a grooming table, examination table, game-cleaning table, etc. Furthermore, floats, wheels, pull handles and other accessories can be attached to extend the utility of the apparatus.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A ramp assembly comprising: 
 a first molded ramp component including an elongated generally planar first tread portion having its lateral extremities forming integral lateral side walls, a first end portion at one end of said first tread portion being configured to engage a first support surface at a first elevation, a second end portion at an opposite end of said first tread portion having an integrally formed first plurality of apertured flanges extending therefrom to form a first hinge set, and means forming at least two elongated, integrally molded box-beams disposed in spaced apart locations beneath and extending along substantially the entire length of said first tread portion, said box beams being sealed at each end to form closed chambers therewithin;    a second molded ramp component including an elongated generally planar second tread portion having its lateral extremities forming integral lateral side walls, a first end portion at one end of said second tread portion having an integrally formed second plurality of apertured flanges extending therefrom to form a second hinge set, a second end portion at an opposite end of said second tread portion being configured to engage a second support surface at a second elevation higher than said first elevation, and means forming at least two elongated, integrally molded box-beams disposed in spaced apart locations beneath and extending along substantially the entire length of said second tread portion, said box beams being sealed at each end to form closed chambers therewithin; and    pivot means adapted to extend through the apertures in said first and second hinge sets so as to pivotally join said first molded ramp component to said second molded ramp component,    wherein said first and second molded ramp components may be rotated about said pivot means between a folded configuration with said first and second molded ramp components lying substantially in side-by-side relationship, and an extended configuration wherein said first and second molded ramp components lie substantially in a common plane such that upon placement of said first end portion on a first surface and placement of said second end portion on a second surface, said assembly forms a ramp along which a pet can walk.    
   
   
       23 . A ramp assembly as recited in  claim 22  and further comprising means for locking said first and second ramp components in at least one of said first and second configurations.  
   
   
       24 . A ramp assembly as recited in  claim 23  wherein said means for locking includes a keeper affixed to said first end portion of said first molded ramp component and a latch affixed to said second end portion of said second molded ramp component, whereby when said first and second molded ramp components are in said folded configuration, said latch can engage said keeper to lock said components together.  
   
   
       25 . A ramp assembly as recited in  claim 24  wherein said first end portion of said first molded ramp component is beveled to mate with a first supporting surface when the assembly is in its extended configuration and inclined to extend between supporting surfaces at different elevations.  
   
   
       26 . A ramp assembly as recited in  claim 25  wherein said second end portion of said second molded ramp component angularly intersects said second tread portion so as to matingly engage a second supporting surface at a higher elevation than the first supporting surface.  
   
   
       27 . A ramp assembly as recited in  claim 22  wherein said first and second tread surfaces have non-slip means affixed thereto to improve frictional engagement with the tread surfaces.  
   
   
       28 . A ramp assembly as recited in  claim 22  wherein said non-slip means is provided by ribs of resilient material formed on said tread surfaces and extending transversally thereacross.  
   
   
       29 . A ramp assembly as recited in  claim 28  wherein an array of apertures is formed in said first and second tread portions, said apertures providing passageways through which fluid material is injected to form said ribs  
   
   
       30 . A ramp assembly as recited in  claim 29  wherein said ribs are formed by placing first molds having a plurality of channels in engagement with the bottom surfaces of said first and second tread portions, said channels being placed in registration with said arrays of apertures, and by placing second molds having a plurality of parallel grooves formed therein in engagement with the top surfaces of said first and second tread portions, said grooves being placed in registration with said arrays of apertures, whereby fluid injected into said first molds flows through said channels, through said apertures, and into said grooves to form said ribs.  
   
   
       31 . A ramp assembly as recited in  claim 22  and further including standoffs integrally formed at predetermined locations on the bottom surfaces of said first and second tread portions, and further comprising a plurality of elongated legs and means for attaching said legs to said standoffs, whereby said pet ramp assembly can alternatively be used as a grooming table or the like.  
   
   
       32 . A ramp assembly as recited in  claim 22  wherein said first and second plurality of apertured flanges are asymmetrically disposed along their associated end portions, such that when said end portions are adjoined, said first and second plurality of flanges interdigitate.  
   
   
       33 . A ramp assembly as recited in  claim 22  wherein said first end portion is beveled to mate with a first supporting surface when the assembly is in its extended configuration and inclined to extend between supporting surfaces at different elevations.  
   
   
       34 - 39 . (canceled)