Abstract:
An apparatus and method for a collapsible arched ramp includes an arched vertically extending middle ramp section, two arched vertically extending outer ramp sections, and two arched vertically extending connecting ramp sections. The connecting ramp sections connect the outer ramp sections to opposing vertical sides of the middle ramp section so that the outer ramp sections are substantially parallel and laterally spaced apart with the middle ramp section. The arches of the outer ramp sections arch in a same direction of the arch of the middle ramp section and arch in the opposite direction of the middle ramp section. When collapsing the ramp, the direction of the arched sections line up, allowing for a compact assembly that may be easily carried and stored. The method of extending and collapsing the ramp allows for a ramp that is rapidly and efficiently assembled.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/301,004 filed on Nov. 21, 2011, titled “Apparatus and Method for a Collapsible Arched Ramp,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for a collapsible ramp assembly, and more specifically relates to a collapsible arched ramp for loading snowmobiles onto a transport vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As the popularity of outdoor sports and recreational activities increase, the desire for the ease and efficiency of loading and transporting the associated equipment and/or accessories also increase. Depending on its size and shape, some equipment for sports and recreational activities are fairly easy to load. Other larger or bulkier equipment, such as small recreational vehicles, are more of a challenge to load. One affordable solution to loading small recreational vehicles, such as snowmobiles, onto a transporting vehicle, such as a truck, is through a portable ramp. 
     There are several prior art portable ramp assemblies for loading small recreational vehicles, including some which consist of a solid piece of material, with no movable parts, and some, which are divided into sections that allow the ramp to be assembled, folded or collapsed. The disadvantage of a ramp made of the solid piece of material, though, is that is may be awkward to move, and a nuisance to store when not in use. 
     Foldable or collapsible ramps vary depending upon, among other things, the desired direction of the fold and the hinges used for folding. A foldable ramp may fold vertical, such that there are two or three solid vertical sections that hinge together for folding thereon, or for expanding and collapsing close to each other. These sections are normally flat for ease of folding and will fold out to a flat ramp. Although vertical folding ramps such as these are more portable and storable than a single solid piece ramp assembly, they do not provide much clearance for a small recreational vehicle when loading onto a back of a truck, the recreational vehicle being loaded may have a difficult time in loading and unloading onto a ramp with a flat surface, and the ramp may be awkward or time-consuming to fold out or set into place. 
     A horizontally foldable ramp may be formed to fold out to provide an arching of the ramp, thus allowing more ease in loading and unloading, and providing more clearance for the recreational vehicle. Unfortunately, to form an arch on the ramp, a horizontally foldable or collapsible ramp normally consists of many sections, which in turn, consist of many hinges, and/or connecting pieces. Thus, there are many parts that can wear out and that need to be replaced, making it less cost effective. Furthermore, a horizontally foldable ramp may also be awkward and time-consuming to fold out or set into place. 
     Thus, there is a need to provide a collapsible ramp that is easily and quickly assembled, provides ease and clearance in loading and unloading a recreational vehicle onto a transport vehicle, and is durable and cost effective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An apparatus and method for a collapsible arched ramp includes an arched vertically extending middle ramp section, two arched vertically extending outer ramp sections, and two arched vertically extending connecting ramp sections. The two connecting ramp sections connect the two outer ramp sections, respectively, to opposing vertical sides of the middle ramp section so that the two outer ramp sections are substantially parallel and laterally spaced apart with the middle ramp section. The arches of the two outer ramp sections arch in a same direction of the arch of the middle ramp section. The arches of the two connecting ramp sections arch in the opposite direction of the middle ramp section. When loading and unloading onto a transport vehicle, the arching provides clearance and ease of loading and unloading for a small recreational vehicle. 
     When collapsing the collapsible arched ramp, the direction of the arched sections line up, allowing for a compact assembly that may be easily carried and stored. The method of unfolding and folding the collapsible arched ramp allows for a collapsible arched ramp that is rapidly and efficiently assembled. 
     The foregoing and other features will be apparent from the following more particular description, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a collapsible arched ramp; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the ramp of  FIG. 1 , without element  44 , illustrating both a partially collapsed and collapsed orientation; and 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the ramp of  FIG. 2 , wherein the ramp is in the collapsed orientation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , a collapsible arched ramp  10  includes a middle ramp section  12 , two outer ramp sections  22  and  24 , and two connecting ramp sections  32  and  34 . Middle ramp section  12  vertically extends a first predetermined length and includes a top surface  13 , and a bottom surface  15 . Rungs  18  extend laterally between outer rails  19  on middle ramp section  12  and are spaced longitudinally apart therealong, supporting a small recreational vehicle as it ascends up the ramp. Middle ramp section  12  is arched in a first direction, wherein when middle ramp section  12  is in an inclined position, a top portion of middle ramp section  12  slightly curves downward. When attaching collapsible arched ramp  10  to a transport vehicle  60  with attachment piece  16 , top portion of middle ramp section  12  curves towards transport vehicle  60 . A second attachment piece  62 , connected to a middle rung  18  on one end allows collapsible arched ramp  10  to be stabilized by connecting the other end of second attachment piece  62  to a transport vehicle. The arching of middle ramp section  12  provides clearance and ease of loading and unloading a small recreational vehicle onto a transport vehicle. Middle ramp section  12  may be made of a strong, but lightweight material, such as aluminum, but also may be manufactured from other materials that are well known in the art and is not limited to such. 
     Outer ramp sections  22  and  24  are substantially parallel to and laterally spaced apart on either vertical side of middle ramp section  12 . Each outer ramp section  22  and  24  vertically extends a second predetermined length that is approximately equal to first length of middle ramp section  12 . Outer ramp section  22  includes a top surface  23  and a bottom surface  25 . All though not specifically detailed, outer ramp section  24  includes the same surfaces as outer ramp section  22 . Both outer ramp sections  22  and  24  are arched substantially in the same direction as middle ramp section  12 . Specifically, when outer ramp sections  22  and  24  are in an inclined position, a top portion of outer ramp sections  22  and  24  slightly curve downward. Thus, a top portion of outer ramp sections  22  and  24  curve towards the transport vehicle  60  when attaching collapsible arched ramp  10  with attachment piece  56  to a transport vehicle  60 . Guides  58  extend laterally between two rails  29  of outer ramp section  22  and are spaced longitudinally apart therealong, supporting, for example, the skis of a snowmobile as it ascends up the ramp. Guides  58  may be made of plastic or a similar formed material. Again, although only outer ramp section  22  is described in detail, it is to be understood that outer ramp section  24  has the same features, surfaces and portions as outer ramp section  22 . Outer ramp sections  22  and  24  may be made of a strong, but lightweight material, such as aluminum, but also may be manufactured from other materials that are well known in the art and is not limited to such. 
     Connecting ramp sections  32  and  34  connect outer ramp sections  22  and  24  to opposing vertical sides of middle ramp section  12  so that outer ramp sections  22  and  24  are substantially parallel and laterally spaced apart with the middle ramp section  12 . Connecting ramp sections  32  and  34  have a top surface  33 , a bottom surface  35  and hinge members  36 . Although not specifically detailed, connecting ramp sections  32  and  34  are similar in shape and features and have at least two hinges each. For this specific example, two hinges on one side of connecting ramp section  32  connect connecting ramp section  32  to middle ramp section  12  and two hinges on the opposing side of connecting ramp section  32  connect connecting ramp section  32  to outer ramp section  22 . Likewise, two hinges on one side of connecting ramp section  34  connect connecting ramp section  34  to middle ramp section  12  and two hinges on the opposing side of connecting ramp section  34  connect connecting ramp section  34  to outer ramp section  24 . Hinge members  36  are pivotally rotatable around an axis and will be described in more detail hereafter. Although for this specific example, two hinges are shown on either side of connecting ramp sections  32  and  34 , the invention in not limited to such, and many other number of hinges may be used, such as one or four, without departing from the scope of the invention. Connecting ramp sections  32  and  34  are of a third predetermined length, the length being of a smaller length than the first or second predetermined length. That is, a vertical length of the connecting ramp section  32  or  34  is smaller than a vertical length of the middle ramp section  12 . Both connecting ramp sections  32  and  34  are arched substantially in the opposite direction as middle ramp section  12 . Specifically, when connecting ramp sections  32  and  34  are in an inclined position, a top portion of connecting ramp sections  32  and  34  slightly curve upwards. As will be discussed in greater detail in regards to  FIG. 3 , the arching of connecting ramp sections  32  and  34  allows collapsible arched ramp  10  to collapse in a tight, parallel manner, making it easy to transport and store. Although connecting ramp sections  32  and  34  are shown of a predetermined width, they also may be made adjustable to allow for different sized recreational vehicles and the invention is not limited to such. Connecting ramp sections  32  and  34  may be made of a strong, but lightweight material, such as aluminum, but also may be manufactured from other materials that are well known in the art and is not limited to such. 
     Traction control section  44  of collapsible arched ramp  10  is connected to middle ramp section  12  through hinges (at least two) on the bottom portion of middle ramp section  12 . Specifically, hinge  42  connects a rail  49  of traction control section  44  to a rail  19  of middle ramp section  12 . Although only one hinge is described, it is to be understood that there is at least one more hinge connecting the other rail of middle ramp section  12  to fraction control section  44 . Traction control section  44  allows for the loading of small vehicles onto transport vehicle  60  even when there is snow, rain, or other slippery substances on the ground. Rungs  48 , similar to rungs  18  of middle ramp section  12  extend laterally on traction control section  44  on rails  49  and are spaced longitudinally apart therealong. Traction control section  44  may be made of a strong, but lightweight material, such as aluminum, but also may be manufactured from other materials that are well known in the art and is not limited to such. 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , collapsible arched ramp  10  is shown in both a partially collapsed orientation (elements  22 ,  24  and  32  in dotted outline) and a fully collapsed orientation (elements  22 ,  24  and  12  in solid outline). Hinges  36  allow the outer ramp section  22  to pivotally collapse upon middle ramp section  12 , wherein top surface  33  of connecting ramp section  32  pivotally collapses upon top surface  13  (see  FIG. 1 ) of middle ramp section  12  and bottom surface  25  (see  FIG. 1 ) of outer ramp section  22  pivotally collapses on bottom surface  35  (see  FIG. 1 ) of connecting ramp section  32 . Top surface  23  of outer ramp section  22  remains on top in extended orientation, partially collapsed orientation and fully collapsed orientation. Although not specifically discussed in reference to outer ramp section  24 , it is to be understood that it collapses in a similar way as outer ramp section  22 . Outer ramp section  22  collapses on approximately one vertical half of middle ramp section  12 , and outer ramp section  24  collapses on approximately the other vertical half of middle ramp section  12 . Although not specifically shown, traction control section  44  (see  FIG. 1 ) could then collapse onto top surface  23  of outer ramp section  22 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the side view of  FIG. 2  when in a fully collapsed orientation. Middle ramp section  12  is shown as the bottom layer, connecting ramp section  32  is shown as the middle layer and outer ramp section  22  as the top layer. As explained in reference to  FIG. 2 , in collapsed orientation, top surface  33  of connecting ramp section  32  collapses upon top surface  13  of middle ramp section  12  and bottom surface  25  of outer ramp section  22  collapses on bottom surface  35  of connecting ramp  32 . Thus, while collapsed, the top surface  13  of middle ramp section  12  is in facing relationship to the top surface  33  of connecting ramp section  32  and the bottom surface  35  of the connecting ramp section  32  is in facing relationship to the bottom surface  25  to outer ramp section  22 . The arching of connecting ramp sections  32  and  34  allows collapsible arched ramp  10  to collapse in a tight parallel manner, making it easy to transport and store, without losing the benefits of having an arched ramp. Also, the collapsible ramp of the present invention is easily and quickly assembled, provides ease and clearance in loading and unloading a recreational vehicle onto a transport vehicle, and is durable and cost effective. 
     One skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations are possible within the scope of the claims. Thus, while the disclosure is particularly shown and described above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. For example, although snowmobiles are specifically disclosed in the present disclosure, it is to be understood that any type of small recreational vehicle may also loaded with the invention and the disclosure is not limited to such. Therefore, reference herein to snowmobiles is only by way of example, and is not intended to be limiting.