# Patent

## Title
Vehicle ramp

## Abstract

A ramp for a vehicle comprises an elongated track with a leading end and a trailing end. The leading end engages a flatbed platform of a vehicle, and the trailing end engages a ground surface so that there is a slope between the leading and trailing ends when the ramp is in a first usage. The elongated track is constituted by multiple engaging elements. The elements are movable relative to each other so that the elements are capable of being packed in a stack to define a platform for a wheel of a vehicle. This permits raising of the wheel of a vehicle above the ground level. There is a hinge between adjacent elements, and the elements of the ramp are hinged at opposite ends for relative folding to permit for a stacked relationship about adjacent ends.

## Background
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of prior application Ser. No. 10/984,041, filed Nov. 8, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,232, entitled “Vehicle Ramp,” herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.


BACKGROUND
1. Field
An apparatus and method is disclosed relating to use as a ramp or a platform, and more particularly, relating to a ramp or platform for a vehicle.
2. General Background
Some vehicles and trucks have a flatbed platform or rear cargo area into which All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) or other wheeled units and apparatus need to be loaded. To solve this problem, different devices have been previously used as a ramp that can run up a slope from a ground level to the flat bed height. These are elongated ramps and are for a single purpose. Separately, it is often necessary to raise a wheel or pair of wheels of a vehicle above the ground. These are also for a single purpose use. Different kinds of ramps are used for this second purpose.
The various uses of the ramps are not as versatile as possible. The disclosure is directed towards an improvement which seeks to allow ramps to serve multiple purposes.
SUMMARY
A ramp for a vehicle comprises an elongated track with a leading end and a trailing end. The leading end is for engaging a horizontal platform of a vehicle, and the trailing end is for engaging a ground surface so that there is a slope between the leading and trailing ends when the ramp is in a first usage relationship with the vehicle. The elongated track is constituted by multiple engaging elements.
The elements are movable relative to each other so that the elements are capable of being packed in a stack to define a platform for a wheel of a vehicle. This permits raising of the wheel of a vehicle above the ground level. This raising of the vehicle above a ground level is a second usage of the ramp.
A lead member of the ramp includes two portions anchored to the track. A first portion engages with the leading element of the ramp in a substantially parallel relationship with the track. A second portion of the lead member is angulated relative to the track of the ramp. The second portion is for engaging on a flatbed of the vehicle when in a first use. In a second use, this lead member engages with the stacked elements so as to facilitate permitting a wheel of a vehicle to roll up and onto the stacked elements.
There is a hinge transversely located between adjacent elements, and the elements of the ramp are hinged at opposite ends for relative transverse folding to permit for a stacked relationship about adjacent ends of adjacent elements. The longitudinal direction is between the leading end and the trailing end.
There are generally two ramps in use with a vehicle. As such, there are a pair of separate tracks. One track is for permitting the front and rear left-hand wheels of an ATV or accessory to be rolled onto a flatbed related to the vehicle. The other track being for the front and rear wheels of the right-hand side of the ATV or accessory to be rolled onto the flatbed in the first use. The two tracks in a second use are for raising respectively left and right wheels of a vehicle.
There can be friction elements on a surface of each track. The friction elements can be at least one of spaced slots or apertures, selectively with one or more ridges.
When the track is an elongated position in the first use, the elements of the track are rotatable, in part, in a transverse axis relative to a longitudinal direction of the track to permit the second use mode. The hinges permit the elements to rotate transversely and fold in first manner to be stacked in a packed relationship for the second use mode. The hinges permit the elements to be unfolded and aligned in an elongated manner and to inhibit folding in a manner opposite to the manner when the track is in the elongated longitudinal position in the first use mode.
Other objects and features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is the ramp in the first operative situation elongated between the ground and the tailgate of a vehicle. A pair of ramps is shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2 shows a pair of ramps in the second operative position, folded in an inclined manner under two wheels of a vehicle.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the ramps in the folded second position.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the ramp partly unfolded from the second operative position to the first position.
FIG. 5 is a sectional side view showing a stop in position on the ramp.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing the ramp in the first operative position.
FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of one of the elements of the ramp.
FIG. 8 is a sectional side view showing a stop in position on the ramp in another embodiment.
FIG. 9 shows a top view of one of the elements of the ramp.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
There are two ramps 10 and 11 for a vehicle 12. The ramps 10 and 11 are shown located on the tailgate 13 of the vehicle 12. The trailing ends 14 and 15 of the ramps 10 and 11 engage the ground surface 16 in a sloping manner such that an ATV or other unit can be wheeled up the tracks of the ramps 10 and 11 and onto the flatbed platform 17 at the rear of the vehicle or truck 12. Each of the ramps 10 and 11 are constituted by three foldable elements, namely elements 18, 19 and 20 for ramp 10 and elements 21, 22 and 23 for ramp 11. The leading ends 24 and 25 respectively of ramps 10 and 11 engage the tailgate 13. The leading member is anchored with the leading end of the ramp.
Each of the leading ends 24 and 25 include a leading member which is a plate 26 and 27 respectively. The plates 26 and 27 have a portion 28 which is substantially parallel to the elongated line of the elements 18, 19 and 20, and a portion 29 which is angulated relative to portion 28 and can lie substantially parallel with the surface 30 of the tailgate 13.
With the ramps 10 and 11 extended in the sloping position the wheels 31 and 32 of an ATV can be rolled up and down the ramps as indicated by arrow 33.
In some embodiements, safety chains 60 and 61 may be added to the ramps 10 and 11 to secure the tire ramp to the vehicle when the in the first usage of the ramp 10 and 11. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the end of the safety chains 60 and 61 includes a hook 63 to secure the safety chains 60 and 61 to the tailgate 13 of the truck.
In the extended position, the interface between 18, 19 and 20 are shown by lines 34 and 35, respectively. The interfaces between sections 21, 22 and 23 are shown by lines 36 and 37, respectively.
There are hinge formations 38 between each of the elements 18, 19 and 20, and between elements 21, 22 and 23. The hinge formations 38 are formed such that when the elements are in the extended position as shown in FIG. 1, the interface lines are an abutment, and each of the elements 18, 19 and 20, respectively, prevent the buckling or downward movement of the ramp 10. The elements 21, 22, and 23 are inter-located or in engagement to prevent the downward movement of the ramp 11.
As illustrate in FIG. 9, the first element 20 and 23 adjacent to the leading ends 24 and 25 may have enhanced bars 70, 71, and 72 welded to the bottom of the first element 20 and 23. The enhanced bars 70, 71 and 72 add strength to the first element 20 and 23 providing the ramp with more capacity. Additionally, other elements may also include enhanced bars.
As shown in FIG. 2, there is the vehicle 12 with tires 39 and 40 for respective wheels. The tires are respectively mounted on a folded ramp 10 and a folded ramp 11. The elements of the ramp 10 are shown as 20, 18 and 19. Element 19 engages the ground surface 16.
For the ramp 11 there are the elements 23, 21 and 22 in the folded position, with the element 22 engaging the ground surface 16. The leading ends 27 and 29 are formed so that they slope respectively towards the leading plate 25 and the leading plate 24 of ramps 11 and 10. The hinges 38 permit for folding of the section 18 between the sections 19 and 20 for ramp 10. Similarly section 21 is folded between the elements 22 and 23 of the ramp 11.
The hinges 38 are located at adjacent ends of the respective elements and permit for the folding relationship in a transverse direction as further illustrated in FIG. 4. When in the extended position, the interfaces 34 and 35 are in engagement to prevent further unfolding of the elements beyond the sloped relationship as shown in FIG. 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the vehicle 12 can be driven so that the tires of the wheels 39 and 40 mount the ramps at plates 27 and 29, respectively, and are mounted on the top of the elements 23 and 20 as illustrated.
There are also stop members 41 and 42 which are removable from the elements 20, 23 as indicated. Each of the elements has apertures 45 in spaced relationship with each other. The apertures 45 receive studs 43 which extend from the stops 41 and act to position the stops 41 and 42 effectively on the element 20 and 23 respectively. Each of the circular apertures 45 can have one or more ridges or protrusions 44 which can act as friction elements. The apertures can also be longitudinal slots 45 arranged laterally across each of the elements 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 and the stops 41 and 42 fit into these slots. These slots act also to provide a degree of friction to each of the elements as vehicle wheels move over the elements and there can be ridges provided. The slots also lighten the ramp elements as is necessary. FIG. 4 does not show the circular holes which are shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the stop members 41 and 42 include bolts 50. The bolts 50 can be received through holes 80 in the elements 20, 23 of the ramp. Use of bolts 50 in the tire stop member 41 and 42 help to secure the tire stop to the ramp.
In the fashion described, the elements 18, 19 and 20 of ramp 10 are folded in a longitudinal sense about the transverse or laterally arranged axes. In this manner the ramp 10 can be more compacted as necessary. Similarly, ramp 11 can be compacted as necessary by the folding along an elongated sense about the different lateral or transverse axes.
In other forms of the invention, there can be more or less elements for each of the ramps 10 or 11. Different folding arrangements are possible such that instead of the element 18 folding between the elements 19 and 20, a more zigzag type of folding arrangement is possible, namely in the form of a Z or S format.
A lock member or handle 46 is provided to engage the elements 20 and 19 so as to prevent inadvertent opening when the ramp is in the closed formation. The lock member 46 can be moved by unpinning the lock 46 from engaging one or both mating formations on the side of elements 19 and 20. The lock 46 is shown in the released position in FIG. 4. As such, the lock 46 traverses the intermediate element 18 when in the locked position.
Other hinge components or formations could also be utilized to perform the same function in other embodiments.
In some cases the elements can be folded laterally and otherwise stacked. As such, it can be possible to undo different elements from each other and reconfigure the elements with the stacked formation. The elements may be rotatable about side hinges transversely directed on the sides of the track face, rather than hinges transversely across the track face. Movable or separable elements for each ramp permits for the multi-purpose use of each ramp. Interlocking of the separate elements can provide the necessary degrees of stability for different uses.
While the apparatus and method has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.

## Claims

1. A ramp for a vehicle having two different uses comprising:
an elongated track with a leading end including a lead member permanently affixed to the track and a trailing end, the leading member being for engaging a horizontal platform of a vehicle, and the trailing end for being engaging a ground surface so that there is a slope between the leading and trailing ends when the ramp is in a first usage relationship with the vehicle;
the elongated track being constituted by multiple engaging elements,
the elements being movable relative to each other whereby the elements are capable of being packed in a stack to define a platform for a wheel of a vehicle thereby to permit raising of the wheel of a vehicle above the ground level, and the raising of the vehicle above a ground level being a second usage of the ramp; and
the lead member including two portions, a first portion for engaging with the element of the ramp in a substantially parallel relationship with the track, and a second portion angulated relative to the track of the ramp, the second portion being for engaging on a horizontal platform of the vehicle when in the first usage, and in the second usage the second portion being for engaging with the stacked elements thereby to provide a ramp from the floor to the top of the stacked elements for a wheel of a vehicle to roll up and onto the stacked elements.

2. The ramp as claimed in claim 1, including a hinge between adjacent elements, and wherein the elements of the ramp are hinged at opposite ends for relative folding to permit for a stacked relationship.

3. The ramp as claimed in claim 1, including two separate ramps, each having a track, one track being for permitting the front and rear left-hand wheels of an accessory to be rolled onto the horizontal platform related to the vehicle, and the other track being for the front and rear wheels of the right-hand side of the accessory to be rolled onto the horizontal platform in the first use, and wherein the two tracks in a second use are for raising respectively left and right wheels of a vehicle.

4. The ramp as claimed in claim 1, including friction elements on a surface of the track, the friction elements being at least one of spaced slots, or apertures, and selectively with one or more ridges.

5. The ramp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leading end includes a leading member being an angulated plate, the angulated plate being anchored to the track.

6. The ramp as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the track is for an elongated position in the first use, and the elements of the track are rotatable transversely in part about a transverse axis relative to a longitudinal direction of the track to permit the second use mode, and including a hinge for permitting the elements to rotate transversely and fold in first manner to be stacked in a packed relationship for the second use mode and wherein the hinge permits the elements to be unfolded and aligned in an elongated manner to inhibit folding in a manner opposite to the manner when the track is in the elongated longitudinal position in the first use mode.

7. The ramp as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a removable stop member to be received in an aperture of a top element of the ramp when in the second usage to hinder a vehicle from running past the end of the element.

8. The ramp as claimed in claim 7 wherein the stop member includes bolts to secure the stop member to the element.

9. The ramp as claimed in claim 1 further comprising safety chains attached to the leading end to secure the ramp to the vehicle.

10. The ramp as claimed in claim 1 further comprising enhance bars on the bottom of the elements to add strength to the ramp.

11. A ramp for a vehicle comprising:
an elongated track with a leading end and a trailing end, the leading end being for engaging a flatbed platform of a vehicle, and the trailing end for being engaging a ground surface so that there is a slope between the leading and trailing ends when the ramp is in a first usage relationship with the vehicle;
the elongated track being constituted by multiple engaging elements;
the elements being movable relative to each other whereby the elements are capable of being packed in a stack to define a platform for a wheel of a vehicle thereby to permit raising of the wheel of a vehicle above the ground level, and the raising of the vehicle above a ground level being a second usage of the ramp;
a leading member permanently attached to the track including two portions, a first portion for engaging with the element of the ramp in a substantially parallel relationship with the track, and a second portion angulated relative to the track of the ramp, the second portion being for engaging on the flatbed of the vehicle when in a first use, and in a second use the second portion being for engaging with the stacked elements thereby to provide a ramp from the floor to the top of the stacked elements permitting a wheel of a vehicle to roll up and onto the stacked elements;
a removable stop member to be received in an aperture of a top element of the ramp when in the stack to hinder a vehicle from running past the end of the element;
enhance bars on the bottom of at least one of the elements to add strength to the ramp; and
safety chains attached to the leading end to secure the ramp to the vehicle.

12. The ramp as claimed in claim 11 wherein the stop member includes bolts to secure the stop member to the element.