Patent ID: 6880194
Filing Date: 2005-04-19
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
1. A portable ramp assembly, comprising: a) a housing having a longitudinally extending, rectangular top plate secured at right angles to at least a pair of opposing side walls which are parallel and coextensive with the longitudinal length of the top plate, the side walls having the same width, measured from the top plate, the side walls having parallel, longitudinally extending marginal edges at which are disposed a pair of short flanges which are coextensive with the side walls, and which extend towards each other, and which are in the same plane which is parallel to the plane of the top plate which, together with the side walls and short flanges, form at least one compartment within the housing which has an open front end and an open bottom between the short flanges; b) at least one ramp slidably disposed in the at least one compartment of the housing and movable longitudinally thereof, the ramp having a rectangular cover plate which is secured at right angles to a pair of parallel side walls which are at least coextensive with the length of the cover plate, the sidewalls of the ramp having the same width, measured from the cover plate, and a pair of parallel, longitudinal marginal edges at which are disposed a pair of short flanges which extend towards each other and which are in the same plane which is parallel to the plane of the cover plate, the short flanges of the ramp being supported on, and movable along, the corresponding short flanges of the housing, the ramp having a leading end which is first to exit the housing and a trailing end which is opposite the leading end; c) a rod transversely disposed at the trailing end of the ramp within the housing, the rod disposed adjacent the cover plate of the ramp and having a pair of opposing ends which project beyond adjacent side walls of the ramp; and d) a pair of similar but oppositely disposed blocks secured to the side walls of the housing in spaced relation from adjacent short flanges thereof, the blocks being adjacent the open front end of the housing, the blocks each having, I) a flat surface which is parallel to an adjacent short flange of the housing and spaced therefrom a distance sufficient to form a passageway for slidably receiving the projecting rod ends therebetween whereby the ramp can be removed from the housing, II) an inclined ramp extending from the flat surface in a direction away from the adjacent short flange of the ramp and towards the open end of the housing, for engaging an adjacent projecting end of the rod and directing it upwards towards the cover plate onto, III) a platform which is parallel to the adjacent short flange of the ramp and which terminates at, IV) a stop for preventing the unintended accidental removal of the ramp from the housing, the blocks designed to lift the trailing end of the ramp to reduce any offset between misaligned outer exposed surfaces of the housing and trailing end of the ramp, a portion of the trailing end of the ramp, between the rod and adjacent short flanges of the ramp, being removed and angularly disposed to allow tilting the trailing end and attached rod of the ramp in the direction of the adjacent short flanges of the housing, such that the rod ends become aligned with the passageways and will pass through the passageway and out the open end of the housing, as the tilted ramp is pulled from the housing.