US3917227A - Vehicle ramp - Google Patents

Abstract

A ramp which includes a pedestal formed of a base member, intermeshing uprights positionable upon the base member, and having side wall edge intermesh means, a pan positionable on the top of the uprights, the combination held together by means forcing the base and pan against the top and bottom of the uprights. The top of the pan of the ramp has a well between both ends thereof with a preferably U shaped lip at one end and a raised stop at the other end. An incline preferably having a flange on one end is provided for mating with the U shaped lip to maintain the incline elevated at one end, and is provided at its other end with a safety tab which is of a length so that a wheel will first ride on the safety tab to anchor the ramp on the floor or ground before engaging the steeply inclined portion of the incline when traveling up it to reach the pedestal. A tie bar means is also provided for interconnecting the base member to the incline to impart structural integrity to the unit.

Description

West

Nov. 4, 1975 VEHICLE RAMP [75] Inventor: Roland J. West, Andover, Mass.

[73] Assignee: Vaughn Corporation, Salisbury,

Mass.

[22] Filed: July 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 379,439

[52] US. Cl 254/88; 248/352 [51] Int. Cl. B66F 19/00; E02C 3/00 [58] Field of Search 254/88; 248/352, 174

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,493,475 5/1924 Cook .L 254/88 1,723,944 8/1929 Marsh l 248/174 1,922,555 8/1933 McCosh 254/88 3,606,253 9/1971 Wooten et a1. 254/88 3,638,910 2/1972 Nellis et a1 254/88 3,752,441 8/1973 Rogers 254/88 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Primary Examiner-A1 Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Robert C. Watson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Donald Brown [57] ABSTRACT A ramp which includes a pedestal formed of a base member, intermeshing uprights positionable upon the base member, and having side wall edge intermesh means, a pan positionable on the top of the uprights, thecombination held together by means forcing the base and pan against the top and bottom of the uprights. The top of the pan of the ramp has a well between both ends'thereof with a preferably U shaped lip at one end and a raised stop at the other end. An incline preferably having a flange on one end is provided for mating with the U shaped lip to maintain the incline elevatedat one end, and is provided at its other end with'a safety tab which is of a length so that a wheel will first ride on the safety tab to anchor the ramp on the floor or ground before engaging the steeply inclined portion of the incline when traveling up it to reach the pedestal. A tie bar means is also provided for interconnecting the base member to the incline to impart structural integrity to the unit.

13 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 1 of 5 3,917,227

FIG. I

FIG?) US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 2 of5 3,917,227

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 3 of5 3,917,227

FIGJO FIGJI US. Patent Nov.4, 1975 Sheet4of5 3,917,227

U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 5 of5 3,917,227

VEHICLE RAMP BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is directed to a new and improved portable ramp particularly suited for supporting vehicles such as automobiles and the like.

For many years various types of vehicular ramps have been in use. These ramps are primarily intended to lift the front or rear wheels of a car or truck from about 6 inches to 3 feet off the ground so that a mechanic may crawl under the car or truck and affect repairs.

Over the years there has developed the demand for new and improved ramp constructions, particularly portable types that would be simple to set up and break down, use few coupling means to assemble, would be reasonably inexpensive to manufacture, include few parts and also provide certain safety advantages in use. In view of the foregoing, this invention provides a new and improved ramp construction to meet the requirements outlined above.

More particularly, the ramp of the present invention may easily be disassembled into its component parts for easy storage, shipping, etc., and yet, effectively provides support for autos and the like when assembled. The ramp of this invention also preferably includes a removable incline to permit easy access to the underside of the automobile without the necessity of removing any bolts, nuts or screws.

Another preferred feature of the present invention is a safety tab forming an extension of the incline which serves to prevent the ramp from moving forward as a vehicle using the same attempts to climb the incline.

A further preferred feature and important feature of this invention is tie bar means for imparting structural integrating to the ramp unit, particularly, at the moment a vehicle descends the incline.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the ramp with a tire shown positioned on top of the ramp;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the ramp looking from the left of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view similar to FIG. 2 with the parts disassembled;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a portion of the ramp shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the mounting means for the incline;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 10 and l l are top and side views of the incline of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the incline of the disclosure;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are top and side views of the tie bar of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates the tie bar coupling the incline to the base member of the disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating the nut and stud for holding the pedestal together;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the ramp illustrating another tie bar scheme for holding the pedestal and the incline together;

FIG. 19 is a sectional top view taken along line l919 in FIG. 18 showing the tie bar positioned in holes formed in the pedestal and positioned between the safety tab and the end of side walls of the incline.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE Reference should now be had to FIGS. 1-19 for a detailed description of the invention.

The ramp of the invention includes a pedestal 20 and an incline member 31. The pedestal 20 as may be seen in the figures includes a plurality of members which are easily assembled or disassembled and are held together by a single coupling means.

The pedestal 20 comprises a base member 22 having a side wall as retainer or guide means 22b extending above and about the top thereof. The bottom of the base member as may be seen in FIG. 1 rests on the ground plane. The bottom of the base member 22 may preferably be arranged with a plurality of teeth-like protrusions 22c below the bottom at each end for the purpose of providing greater friction between the base 22 and the ground to prevent slippage. The protrusions may be punched out of the base member 22 or may be joined thereto by welding. At 23 and 24 there are upright members which interlock or intermesh with each other at the back and front as tabs or protrusions 23a and 24a (see FIGS. 3-5) located at the side edges thereof interlock or intermesh as shown in FIG. 2.

The tabs 23a and 24a of the upright members 23 and 24 are constructed so that they alternate inwardly and outwardly along the height of the side wall edges of members 23 and 24 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 so that when the members 23 and 24 are assembled as shown in FIG. 2 first member 23 overlaps member 24 and then member 24 overlaps member 23 where they meet.

The members 23 and 24 are confined by the side wall 22b and preferably fit such so that the bottom of the side walls thereof engage the interior of side wall 22b (see FIG. 7).

The side walls of the members 23 and 24 also preferably slope such that the opening between the assembly of members 23 and 24 is wider at the bottom than at the top to provide added stability. In addition, to add strength to the members 23 and 24, bent sections are provided along one side wall of each of the members (see FIG. 9).

The upright members 23 and 24 support a top member or pan 25 thereon as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7. The top member or pan 25 is provided with a side wall or edge 25a extending downwardly which fits about the top of the side walls of members 23 and 24 respectively and engage the exterior of portions thereof to firmly position the pan with respect to the upright members. The pan 25 is also provided with a dished area or well 25b for supporting a wheel 21 as shown and a raised stop 250 at the front thereof for stopping or restraining the forward movement of the wheel 21.

The underside of the pan 25 is supported by the upright members 23 and 24 top edges as particularly 3 shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. At the rear of the pedestal there is provided an incline member support means such as a support member 25d (e.g., U shaped) preferably forming a part of the pan 25 and which engages the side walls of the upright members 23 and 24 (see FIG. 8).

The pan 25 is also preferably provided with a tapered depression hole 25e through which a threaded member such as a bolt, flat head screw or threaded stud 27 may be positioned and threaded into a hole 28 having internal threads (formed in a conventional manner) in the top of a depression 22a formed in the bottom of the base member 22 (e.g. by stamping). Alternatively, a nut coupled to the top of the depression 22a could be used. At 29 an acorn nut is provided and fits into the depression 25e and is threaded onto the top of the stud 27.

As may be seen in the FIGS. 6, 7 and 9 only a single coupling means or assembly isutilized to urge the top member 25 and the base member 22 against the upright members 23 and 24 to assemble the pedestal.

Returning again to the aforementioned incline member 31 there is provided a flange or lip portion 31e which fits into the groove or U shaped support member 25d (see FIG. 8).

The incline member 31 is also provided with the guide edges 31a along the sides thereof and also preferably includes treads 31f formed on the top surface 31b of the incline (e.g. by embossing) to aid the climb, of a vehicle wheel moving thereon. The presence of treads is used to increase the friction of the incline member surface.

At 310 (see FIGS. 1, -12 and the incline membet is provided with a safety tab portion which is at an angle with respect to the top surface portion 31b so that it will lie in the ground plane (see FIG. 1). The tab is preferably 1 to 30 inches in length, most preferably 1 to 10 inches in length and may vary depending on the wheel and tire size.

The angle 6 (see FIG. 11) of the tab with respect to the top surface portion 31b is preferably less than or equal to 170 and greater than or equal to 120 and is most preferably between 170. to 160 and may naturally vary depending upon the length of the incline member and the desired height of the pedestal.

The purpose of the tab is to insure that the wheel and tire 21 is positioned on the top of the tab and is supported by the tab 31c prior to the wheel and tire engaging the incline 31b surface thus tending to urge the ramp forward. In this manner the ramp incline will receive the full weight of the vehicle and thus remain in place as the wheel and tire begin to climb the inclined portion of the incline member.

The ramp of this invention may be constructed using heavy guage steel as conventionally used in other pres ent day ramp constructions.

Preferably, in order to insure that in use the incline and the pedestal remain together without being coupled together by a screw, bolt or other like means, there is provided at least one rigid tie bar 35 e.g., of steel, having a central portion 35a and two L shaped ends 35b and 350 which is positionable in either of slots 22d of the base member and either of slots 31d of the incline member 31 as shown in FIGS. 1, 6-11 and 15.

It should be understood that two tie bars 35 may be used if desired. As may be seen the base or smaller portion of the L of each tie end is positionable against the tural integrity to the ramp when assembled and used and particularly at the moment that the vehicle is descending the incline member 31.

In this construction upright members 23 and 24 are provided with holes 37 for supporting a tie bar 36. The

tie bar may take various cross sectional shapes and has most preferably a substantially round cross sectional shape such as provided by a rod.

The tie bar preferably has a substantially U shaped portion comprising two legs 36a and 36b with a bottom 36c therebetween.

The legs 36a and 36b are provided with inwardly directed coupling members 36d and 36e preferably positioned at an acute angle with respect to the legs so as to insure for their retention within the holes 37.

As may be seen in FIGS. 18 and 19 the bottom is positioned between front edges 31g of the members 31, and the top portion 310 of the safety tab 31c. It may be. observed that the front edges 31g are preferably at an acute angle with respect to the safety tab portion 310. I

Preferably the bottom portion 360 wedges itself in the space between the edges and the top portion of the safety tab 310.

It should be noted that the slots 22d and 32d in FIG.

15 are preferably be left out in thisconstruction unless it is desired that either tie bar construction be useable.

It should also be understood that slots may be formed in the front edges 31f to hold the tie bar bottom 36c.

From the foregoing description it should now be ap-, parent that an inexpensive and easily assembled ramp has been described having as its pedestal basically four parts (two upright, bottom and top members) and one coupling means.

In addition, there has been provided a new and im- 1 proved incline structure as well as tie bar means which will securely couple it to the pedestal without the use of tools.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

'1. A vehicle ramp which includes a pedestal and an incline supported at one end by the pedestal, said pedesta lcomprising a base member having raised side walls about the edge thereof, a pair of upright members positioned upon the base member and engaging along the bottom thereof the side walls of the base, each of said upright members having side wall edges, intermesh means provided at the side wall edges of each of the up-,

right members which when urged together overlap to connect the upright members together, a top member positioned on top of the upright members and having 1 side wall means extending downwardly to engagethe top side wall portions of said upright members, coupling means positioned between said top member and said bottom member to force and hold said top and bottom members against the upright members, means forming a part of said top member for supporting the incline, said base having at least one slot formed therein, said incline having at least one slot formed therein, at least one tie bar having two L shaped ends, said tie bar having its L shaped ends positioned in said slot of the base and said slot of the incline with the smaller portions of each L shaped end engaging a wall of the slots to prevent the incline from moving away from the pedestal.

2. The ramp of claim 1 in which the opening between the top of the upright members when intermeshed is smaller than the opening therebetween at the bottom thereof.

3. The ramp of claim 2 in which the incline includes an inclined portion and a safety tab, and in which the slot is provided in the safety tab.

4. A portable vehicle ramp which includes a pedestal comprising a base member, two upright members positioned on the base member, said base member having raised side wall means which engage the bottom of each of said upright members to confine the upright members on the base member, each of said upright members having side wall edges which include a plurality of tabs which alternate and are spaced inwardly and outwardly from said side wall edges, the inwardly spaced tabs of said upright members intermeshing with outwardly spaced tabs of said upright members to connect said upright members together along their side edges, a top member positioned on the top of said upright members and having edge means for engaging the top portion of said upright members to confine the upright member top portion below said top member, means for holding the top, bottom and upright members together and an incline member coupled to said pedestal.

5. The ramp of claim 4 in which the top member is provided with a well and in which the top member is also provided with a stop member at the front of the well.

6. The ramp of claim 4 in which there is provided fastener means extending between the top and bottom members and means for coupling said fastener means to both said top and bottom members to keep the members together as an assembled unit.

7. The ramp of claim 4 in which the top member is provided with support means at one end thereof for supporting the incline member.

8. The ramp of claim 7 in which the support means comprises a U shaped member and in which the incline member includes a lip which fits within the U shaped member.

9. The ramp of claim 4 in which the inclined member includes a tab portion at one end which is at an angle with respect to the remainder of the incline member so that it will lie substantially in the same plane as the bottom of the base member when the opposite end of the incline member is supported by the pedestal.

10. The ramp of claim 9 in which the top member is provided with support means for supporting the opposite end of the incline member.

11. The ramp of claim 4 in which the incline member and base member each have a plurality of slots in which tie bars are positioned in said slots to prevent separation of said incline member from said pedestal.

12. The ramp of claim 9 in which there is provided a tie bar having two legs and bottom therebetween, with the leg portions provided with inwardly directed coupling members in which each of said upright members having a hole for insertion of one of said inwardly directed coupling members and in which said bottom of said tie is wedged between the tab portion and the remainder of the incline portion from which it extends and in which each of said inwardly directed coupling members is positioned in a different one of said upright holes.

13. The ramp of claim 12 in which the tie bar bottom and legs form a U and in which said inwardly directed coupling members are at an acute angle with respect to

Claims (13)

1. A vehicle ramp which includes a pedestal and an incline supported at one end by the pedestal, said pedestal comprising a base member having raised side walls about the edge thereof, a pair of upright members positioned upon the base member and engaging along the bottom thereof the side walls of the base, each of said upright members having side wall edges, intermesh means provided at the side wall edges of each of the upright members which when urged together overlap to connect the upright members together, a top member positioned on top of the upright members and having side wall means extending downwardly to engage the top side wall portions of said upright members, coupling means positioned between said top member and said bottom member to force and hold said top and bottom members against the upright members, means forming a part of said top member for supporting the incline, said base having at least one slot formed therein, said incline having at least one slot formed therein, at least one tie bar having two L shaped ends, said tie bar having its L shaped ends positioned in said slot of the base and said slot of the incline with the smaller portions of each L shaped end engaging a wall of the slots to prevent the incline from moving away from the pedestal.

2. The ramp of claim 1 in which the opening between the top of the upright members when intermeshed is smaller than the opening therebetween at the bottom thereof.

3. The ramp of claim 2 in which the incline includes an inclined portion and a safety tab, and in which the slot is provided in the safety tab.

4. A portable vehicle ramp which includes a pedestal comprising a base member, two upright members positioned on the base member, said base member having raised side wall means which engage the bOttom of each of said upright members to confine the upright members on the base member, each of said upright members having side wall edges which include a plurality of tabs which alternate and are spaced inwardly and outwardly from said side wall edges, the inwardly spaced tabs of said upright members intermeshing with outwardly spaced tabs of said upright members to connect said upright members together along their side edges, a top member positioned on the top of said upright members and having edge means for engaging the top portion of said upright members to confine the upright member top portion below said top member, means for holding the top, bottom and upright members together and an incline member coupled to said pedestal.

5. The ramp of claim 4 in which the top member is provided with a well and in which the top member is also provided with a stop member at the front of the well.

6. The ramp of claim 4 in which there is provided fastener means extending between the top and bottom members and means for coupling said fastener means to both said top and bottom members to keep the members together as an assembled unit.

7. The ramp of claim 4 in which the top member is provided with support means at one end thereof for supporting the incline member.

8. The ramp of claim 7 in which the support means comprises a U shaped member and in which the incline member includes a lip which fits within the U shaped member.

9. The ramp of claim 4 in which the inclined member includes a tab portion at one end which is at an angle with respect to the remainder of the incline member so that it will lie substantially in the same plane as the bottom of the base member when the opposite end of the incline member is supported by the pedestal.

10. The ramp of claim 9 in which the top member is provided with support means for supporting the opposite end of the incline member.

11. The ramp of claim 4 in which the incline member and base member each have a plurality of slots in which tie bars are positioned in said slots to prevent separation of said incline member from said pedestal.

12. The ramp of claim 9 in which there is provided a tie bar having two legs and bottom therebetween, with the leg portions provided with inwardly directed coupling members in which each of said upright members having a hole for insertion of one of said inwardly directed coupling members and in which said bottom of said tie is wedged between the tab portion and the remainder of the incline portion from which it extends and in which each of said inwardly directed coupling members is positioned in a different one of said upright holes.

13. The ramp of claim 12 in which the tie bar bottom and legs form a U and in which said inwardly directed coupling members are at an acute angle with respect to said legs.

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