Patent ID: 6725487
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: A01K,B60P,B65G,B66F

Abstract:
A ramp assembly comprising:a first molded ramp component including an elongated generally planar first tread portion having its lateral extremities folded up, out and then down to form upstanding side rails and downwardly extending 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 a first plurality of apertured flanges extending therefrom to form a first hinge set, and means forming at least one integrally molded box-beam disposed beneath and extending along substantially the entire length of said first tread portion; a second molded ramp component including an elongated generally planar second tread portion having its lateral extremities folded up, out and then down to form upstanding side rails and downwardly extending lateral side walls, a first end portion at one end of said second tread portion having a 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 one integrally molded box-beam disposed beneath and extending along substantially the entire length of said second tread portion; and at least one pivot pin 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 pin between a folded configuration with said first and second molded ramp components lying in parallel side-by-side relationship, and an extended configuration wherein said first and second molded ramp components lie within 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.