Patent ID: 7383600
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: E01D

Abstract:
1. A convertible dock ramp having an upper end for being pivotally mounted to a mounting structure, and a lower end for resting on a second structure, the convertible dock ramp comprising: a pair of spaced-apart side frames each including substantially parallel upper and lower rails; and a plurality of steps each including a tread surface and a bottom surface connected by spaced-apart curved front and rear surfaces, the steps pivotally mounted between the side frames such that the tread surfaces are maintained substantially parallel to each other as the side frames pivot about the upper end, the steps further being pivotable between: a changeover mechanism for retaining the steps in a selected one of the ramp configuration and the stair configuration, while allowing the dock ramp to pivot about the upper end regardless of whether the steps are in the ramp configuration or the stair configuration, and further allowing the steps to pivot to remain substantially parallel to each other as the side frames pivot about the upper end, when the steps are in the stair configuration.