Abstract:
A compact, hinged, foldably deployable ramp is provided in a base configuration which includes three evenly radiused sections which connect to a deck member and have a tube, known as a coping, separating the ramp from the deck. In the base configuration, a top section, mid section and lower section each have a pair of ladder structures which share a middle flange. The deck member includes a pair of angled leg members which are designed to provide support throughout the range of engagement of the ramp. Even size and radiusing of the sections enables continued extension of the ramp by adding sections in conjunction with longer support legs for the deck.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to an improvements in providing a stowable, rapidly deployable, modular sports ramp especially valuable for creating various touring setups, and more particularly to a configuration which is easily packed and able to be shipped in palates and which can withstand the extreme forces generated by the use of skateboards, in-line skates, scooters and bicycles while providing a radiused and smooth segment transition.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Extreme sports ramps are used in conjunction with skateboards, in-line skates, scooters and bicycles to enable participants to do tricks and to apply controlled upward and downward force along with lateral movement and force. Currently utilized structures range from a board elevated at one end used by beginners to large bulky completely pre-assembled and very heavy one-piece structures. For professionals, it is not unusual for exhibitors of professional talent to carry a crew of carpenters to build structures utilized for performing stunts, as well as to build practice ramps.  
         [0003]     The problems thus encountered involve (1) the amount of labor necessary to construct and de-construct the more sturdy ramp structures, (2) the lack of safety inherent in make shift non-engineered structures, not only from falling over but in their lack of provision of an even surface, (3) the space occupied by a structure which cannot be dis-assembled in transport, (4) the space occupied by a structure which can be dis-assembled, (5) the ability to alter the size and shape of the ramp, (6) the provision of a ramp which is enabled to evenly distribute its support load handling capability, and (7) the design to enable the structures to fit together in many different configurations.  
         [0004]     Most structures require significant time and expertise to assemble and disassemble, with testing of the structure necessary upon setup to insure integrity. Nearly all non-manufactured ramps have wide variability in their quality and reliability under load. Where an assembly-required ramp kit includes the possibility that structure will be omitted or not assembled consistently, an uneven surface will likely result.  
         [0005]     Transport and storage is another problem both with regard to manufacturing and transport to a sales venue, as well as normal stowage and deployment throughout the useful life. If the space occupied by a structure disassembled for stowage is not as small as is practicable, additional transport costs will result in a hidden utilization costs.  
         [0006]     Most conventional ramps are fixed, stand-alone units and do not have the ability to have their size and shape altered. Most conventional ramps which are fabricated without plans or without strict adherence to plans result in a ramp which has no ability to evenly distribute its support load handling capability. Most ramps are not engineered to be lightweight, requiring no more than one person to set up, move, fold up and store away.  
         [0007]     What is needed is a ramp which is easy to deploy and stow, has built in safety, lightweight without giving up structural inegrity, a consistently reproducible even surface, occupies a small space upon stowage, which can be altered to different sizes without sacrifice in its other characteristics, and always evenly distributes its support load handling capability.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     A compact, hinged, partially foldable deployable ramp is provided in a base configuration which includes three evenly radiused sections which connect to a deck member and have a tube separating the ramp from the deck. In the base configuration, a top section, mid section and lower section each have a pair of ladder structures which share a middle flange. The deck member includes a pair of angled leg members which are designed to provide support throughout the range of engagement of the ramp and are fixed in a position to resist down force through leverage. Even size and computer exacting pre-specified control of the radius of each of the sections enables continued extension of the ramp by adding sections in conjunction with longer support legs for the deck. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the base configuration of the ramp illustrating three assembled sections adjacent the deck section;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the base configuration of  FIG. 1  seen from another angle and in which the polymeric covering has been removed to expose the underlying skeletal structure;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a section illustrating its curvature and lower hinge members;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the section seen in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the section seen in  FIG. 4 ; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0015]     The description and operation of the ramp system of the invention will be best described with reference to  FIG. 1  which illustrates a perspective view of a base configuration of a ramp system  21 . The main sections of the ramp system as seen in this perspective view, from the bottom, include a lower section  23  showing an angled portion  25  to facilitate interface with the ground, a middle section  27  and a top section  29 . Adjacent the top section  29  is a curved rail  31  which expresses a cylindrical section and extends the full width of the ramp system  21 .  
         [0016]     Adjacent the curved rail  31  is a nearly horizontal deck  35 . One of the support legs  37  which extends from a position nearly mid-width of the deck section  35  is seen as having a slight angle with respect to the deck  35 . The angle of support legs assists support of the deck  35  as users place force against the sections  23 ,  27  and  29 . The sections  23 ,  27  and  29  are nearly indistinguishable because of the close fit and the fact that each of the sections  23 ,  27  and  29  is covered with a polymeric sheet of covering material  39  of from about three to five sixteenths inches thick. A series of flat rivets  41  are seen for holding the sheets of covering material  39  in place.  
         [0017]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the base configuration of  FIG. 1  seen from another angle and in which the polymeric covering has been removed, exposes and facilitates the underlying skeletal structure of the ramp system  21 . Of the sections  23 ,  27  and  29 , section  23  differs in that it is a terminal section having angled portion  25  for forming a more gentle transition from the ground to beginning of the upward curvature of the lower section  23 . Angled portion  25  is shown to be a part of a side rail  45 . Side rail  45  is preferably made of rectangular steel tubing and has a dimensional size of about 1.5 inches by one inch with a wall thickness of about 0.062 inches. Angled portion  25  is formed by a cut on the first side rails  45  of the lower section  23 .  
         [0018]     Lower section  23  has a middle rail  47 , identical to the size specifications of the side rails  45 , and located mid way between the side rails  45 . At the outer limits of the lower section  23 , the side rails  45  and middle rail  47  are attached to an abutting rail  51  which has the same rectangular tubular size specifications as the side and middle rails  47 . Abutting rail  51  is so named as it abuts a similar abutting rail  51  of an adjacently located section, in this case middle section  27 .  
         [0019]     Opposite the abutting rail  51  is a ground adjacent flat bar  53  which may preferably have lateral dimensions of two inches wide and 0.125 inches thick. Extending between the side rails  45  and middle rail  47  are a series of support rails  55  which have a lateral dimension of one inch by one inch and 0.062 inches thick.  
         [0020]     With the exception of the presence of the flat bar  53  and the absence of linking fittings adjacent the flat bar  53 , in lieu of a matching abutting rail  51  and underlying fittings, the remaining middle and top sections  27  and  29  are generally identical to the lower section  23 . To further illustrate the details of construction of the sections  23 ,  27  and  29 , we next focus our attention on middle section  27 .  
         [0021]     Middle section  27  has a pair of oppositely disposed matching abutting rails  51 . Note how closely and evenly the abutting rails  51  of middle section  27  fit with respect to the upper and lower sections  29  and  23 . The extended abutment area of the abutting rails  51  insure a sturdy, even, controllable connection.  
         [0022]     Also seen in  FIG. 2 , adjacent the curved rail  31  is a first rectangular bracket  61  which forms an abutment face against the abutting rail  51  of the top section  29 , along with a close abutting fit. On the opposite side of the curved rail  31  is a second rectangular bracket  63  which forms a part of a deck frame  65 . The remainder of the deck frame includes a pair of oppositely located side rails  67 .  
         [0023]     Opposite the second rectangular bracket  63 , the side rails  67  attach to an end cross rail  69 . A deck middle rail  71  also extends between the second rectangular bracket  63  and the end cross rail  69 . The deck frame  65 , pair of oppositely located side rails  67 , end cross rail  69  and deck middle rail  71  are made of the same material as the side rails  45 . A pair of support rails  55 , which are the same dimension as the support rails  55  of the lower, middle and top section  23 ,  27  and  29  provide additional support for the sheet of covering material  39  which covers the deck  35 .  
         [0024]     Further, the support rails  55  also provide both location and adjacent support for a pair of leg socket members  73 . The leg socket members  73  derive support from both the support rails  55  and the adjacent side rails  67  and will preferably be welded to both to utilize the expanded surface area adjacency. The leg socket members  73  are angled to enable the combination of the leg socket members  73  and legs  37  to provide support towards the lower, middle and top section  23 ,  27  and  29  as users bear mass and force against the front face of the ramp system  21 .  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side view of middle section  27  will be utilized to further emphasize the construction of the ramp system  21 . Side rail  45  is seen attached to the abutting rails  51  on either side. The curvature of the side and middle rails  45  and  47  is more clearly seen. It is preferred that the curvature of the side and middle rails  45  and  47  is preferably curved at a 120 inch radius. It is understood that the use of a single middle rail  47  is not limiting and that several may be employed. Further, the ratio of the number of middle rails  47  to the total number of supports can be changed. The addition of other middle rails  47  would likely result in a reduction of the support rails  55  necessary to give an even support to the sheet of covering material  39 .  
         [0026]     Attached to the bottom of the abutting rails  51  are a set of six hinges  77  of which the two nearest the side rail  45  are seen. The hinges can be pinned and unpinned to enable the lower section  23 , middle section  27 , and top section  29  to be quickly disassembled from each other. The hinge pins (not shown) may preferably be fitted with cotter pins or other structure which insures that they will not become dislodged from the hinges  77  under use.  
         [0027]     It is important to note that the hinges  77  enable the lower section  23 , middle section  27 , top section  29 , and curved rail  31  to pivot with respect to each other. The ability to pivot is only in one direction. Taken with respect to  FIG. 2 , the lower section  23  can pivot clockwise with respect to middle section  27 , the middle section  27  can pivot clockwise with respect to top section  29  and top section  29  can pivot clockwise with respect to the curved rail  31 .  
         [0028]     However, the weight and ground orientation as seen in  FIG. 2  in conjunction with  FIG. 3  makes it clear that any pivoting in the other direction results in flat pinching interference between the flat sides  79  which are seen in  FIG. 3 . The positioning of the hinges  77  are ideally such that the force abutment of the flat sides  79  is spread evenly throughout the area of the flat sides  79 . Such spreading will result in a very stable configuration with virtually no “spring” in the ramp surface beyond that which would be had if the ramp surface were either a solid welded matrix of tubing, or if the top section  23 , middle section  27 , and top section  29  were to be welded to each other.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a top view of the middle section  27  reveals the layout of the hinges  77 . Only the outer half of the hinges  77  are visible from the top view of  FIG. 4 . Ideally, the hinge pins (not shown) will have their axial center in alignment with the interspace between two flat sides  79 . to be quickly disassembled from each other.  
         [0030]     The layout of hinges  77  reveal that at one abutting rail  51  all of the hinges  77  are located one hinge  77  width toward one of the side rails  45 , while on the other abutting rail  51  all of the hinges  77  are located one hinge  77  width toward one other one of thee side rails  45 . This gives the middle section  27  a universal interfitability. It makes no difference which abutting rail  51  is oriented toward the adjacent abutting rail  51  of some other section. This makes the whole ramp system  21  much more easily constructed.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  also illustrates one possible layout for a series of small apertures  81  which are used for rivets or fasteners for holding down the sheet of covering material  39 . Once the individual skeletal members are constructed to the extent shown in  FIG. 2 , and whether or not they are in a constructed state, the sheet of covering material  39  is affixed to each of the components of the ramp system  21 . The sheet of covering material  39  is exactly cut, preferably with matching apertures so that it may be precisely fit onto each of the lower, middle and top section  23 ,  27  and  29 , and deck  35 . Precise control and alignment of the lower, middle and top sections  23 ,  27  and  29 , and deck  35  enables precise fitting of pre-cut, pre-aperture aligned sheet of covering material  39 . This insures that there is a minimum gap between individual section of the sheets of covering material  39 , and that any small gap present does not detract from a force bearing characteristic which approaches continuousness across the ramp surface of the ramp system  21 .  
         [0032]     In normal usage, the sheets of covering material  39  will be permanently attached to the lower, middle and top section  23 ,  27  and  29 , and deck  35 , and any deployment and stowage of the ramp system  21  will be accomplished only by assembly of the main sections to the deck  35  and curved rail  31  assembly.  
         [0033]     The overall and specific dimensions of the ramp system  21  may be varied especially to create different sizes and curvatures. The sizes and curvatures may be selected so that the stowed components of the ramp system  21  may fit within pre-determined dimensions. The preferred dimensions of the top and mid sections  29  and  27  include a side rails  45  and middle rail  47  having a length of about 18 inches and an abutting rail  51  having a length of about 47 inches. The support rails  55  have length of about 22 inches.  
         [0034]     The top section  29  may differ from the middle section  27  by having a slightly shorter side rails  45  and middle rail  47  of about 16.726 inches for size packing purposes. The version of the ramp system  21  has such a shorter version of the side rails  45  and middle rail  47  and will be illustrated in packing orientation.  
         [0035]     The lower section  23  has a side rail  45  having a top length of about 18.5 inches with an angled portion  25  having a length of about 4.271 inches. The angle of angled portion  25  with respect to the top of the side rail  45  of lower section  23  is about ten degrees.  
         [0036]     The curvature of the side and middle rail elements  45  and  47  may be achieved on formation or through machine bending. The side and middle rail elements  45  and  47  will have ends which reflect the curvature of the section  23 ,  27 , and  29 . The cut of the ends of the rail elements  45  and  47  will need to account for the fact that a portion of the curvature will include the width of two of the support rails  55  which will not themselves have a curvature unless they can be made trapezoidal rather than rectangular in cross section. Admittedly the compression of the upper portions of the support adjacent support rails  55  may compress sufficiently to bring a degree of curvature to the short distance across two adjacent support rails  55 .  
         [0037]     Legs  37  may be cut rhomboidally to insure that they will engage the ground in an even stance. For a three section ramp system  21  in accord with the dimensions set forth, legs  37  may preferably be about 31.5 inches in length. The angle of the legs  37  normal to flat ground is preferably about 78 degrees with respect to the axis of each of the legs. Legs  37  are also preferably formed of 1.25 inch square steel tubing having a wall thickness of about 0.090 inches. The leg socket members  73  need only have an internal dimension to enable close but slidable accommodation to the insertion of the legs  37 , along with two locking bolt mechanisms (to be discussed) to hold legs  37  in place.  
         [0038]     The three section ramp of the ramp member  21  with the dimensions set forth will result in a horizontal deck height of about thirty-one inches. The linear length from the center of the curved rail  31  to the lower ground engaging end of the lower section  23  is about fifty six and a quarter inches.  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a side view looking into the end of the curved rail and adjacent structures is shown. The details of the second rectangular bracket  63  and its attachment of the side rails  67  is shown. The second rectangular bracket  63  has a main plate  85 , a lower plate  87  shorter than an upper plate  89 . The differences in the length of the plates  87  and  89  enable the deck frame  65  to be supported a little higher on the curved rail  31 , or put conversely, it allows the curved rail  31  to have a somewhat lowered profile with respect to the side deck frame  65 . The amount of curved rail  31  exposed must be high enough to allow it to be engaged for doing tricks, but not so high that it would prevent a user from easily surmounting it with skateboards, in-line skates, scooters and bicycles etc.  
         [0040]     As can be seen, the curved rail  31  is in fact a tubular pipe which is engaged by the first and second rectangular bracket  61  and  63 . The curved rail  31  is thus preferably made from a 1.75 inch external diameter pipe having a wall thickness of about one tenth of an inch. From the bottom of the deck frame  65 , the bottom of the first rectangular bracket  61  is mounted at an angle of 134.5°. The first rectangular bracket  61  has a hinge member  77  mounted directly to it. This enables the top section  29  to be attached directly to the first rectangular bracket  61  which is welded to the curved rail  31 .  
         [0041]     The heights of the first and second rectangular brackets  61  and  63  are preferably at one and a half inches to match the height of the deck frame  65  and the height of the lower, middle and top section  23 ,  27  and  29 . First rectangular brackets  61  is also seen as having a main plate  91 , a lower plate  93  shorter than an upper plate  95 . Hinge member  77  is attached directly to lower plate  93  with its bore  97  positioned to be bisected by the plane of the main plate  91 .  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a top view of the deck  35  and curved rail  31  is seen. The end cross rail  69  is one of the few rails which does not extend the width of the ramp system  21  and is preferably about 45 inches. The side rails  67  have a length of about 15 inches. The deck middle rail  71  has a length of about 14 inches. A portion of the leg socket members  73  extending underneath the support rails  55  cannot be seen in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , a bottom view of the deck  35  and curved rail  31  is seen, exposing the details not seen in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an end view of the preferred hinge  77  is seen. The hinge  77  has an overall lug shape having a width of about 0.625 inches and an internal bore  97  having a radius of about 0.328 inches. The hinge  77  has a flat upper side  101  which transitions to a radiused end  103  and then to a flat bottom  105 . Radiused end  103  has a radius of about 0.313 inches. Hinge  77  has an flat butt end  107  which is at a right angle with respect to upper and lower sides  101  and  105 . The length of the hinge  77  from the butt end  107  to the radiused end  103  is about 1 inch.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , an expanded view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the placement of a hinge  77  as seen in  FIG. 4 . The hinge  77  is attached with its flat upper side  101  against the bottom of abutting rail  51 . The hinge  77  is positioned so that the bore  97  is about midway into the plane of the flat sides  79  of the abutting rail  51  of the middle section  27 . For example, when the middle section  27  is placed adjacent the lower section  23 , a hinge  77  of the lower section  23  will align behind the hinge  77  seen in  FIG. 9  so that an alignment of the bore  97  in the adjacent hinge  77  will occur with respect to the bore  97  of the hinge  77  shown in  FIG. 9 . A pin  111  having a length to extend through at least two hinges  77  is employed. Pin  111  may have safety structures, such as a quick pin to prevent dislodgement from its position within bores  97 .  
         [0045]     The packaging of the disassembled ramp system  21  is shown in  FIG. 10 . A container  115  has a width of about twenty inches and a height of about 9.5 inches. The disassembled members of the ramp system have only two interfits, with the support legs  37  inserted into the tube of the curved rail  31 , and the leg socket members  73  fitting into the space between two of the support rails  55  (not seen in  FIG. 10 ) of top section  29 . For packing purposes, the top section  29  has been made slightly shorter than the middle section  27 .  
         [0046]     While the present invention has been described in terms of a ramp system for enabling quick deployment and quick and small size stowage, one skilled in the art will realize that the structure and techniques of the present invention can be applied to many structures, including any structure where construction methodology is facilitated by providing members hinged and designed to stress against hinges to provide a ramp surface which performs as if it were constructed of a solid network of support members.  
         [0047]     Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.