Abstract:
A combination wheelchair platform and detachable ramp to allow a person seated in the wheelchair to be at the proper height for an opthalmologic slit lamp examination, or for a standard size dining table. The platform and ramp have raised side members to prevent accidental rolling off.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to novel and unique wheelchair platforms and detachable ramps, and methods of constructing and utilizing same. 
         [0005]    More particularly, the present invention relates to a wheelchair platform and detachable ramp to allow a person seated in a wheelchair to be at an elevated position for treatment or examination (such as, an opthalmologic slit lamp examination, or for convenience at a table, or use with an exercise apparatus 
         [0006]    The prior, but not necessarily relevant, art is exemplified by: 
         [0007]    Petersen U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,528; 
         [0008]    Pestes United States Patent Application Publication 2003/0203792; and 
         [0009]    Diemert U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,553. 
         [0010]    It is a desideratum of the present invention to avoid the animadversions of conventional and present devices, and at the same time to provide a very convenient and easy to use and store wheelchair platform and detachable ramp apparatus and system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention provides a combination wheelchair platform and detachable ramp, comprising: a wheelchair platform having three raised upper side members and an open side; said platform has a wheelchair-receiving surface surrounded by side members and said open side; a detachable ramp for selective and releasable connection to said platform to enable a wheelchair to move on said ramp to and from said wheelchair-receiving surface of said platform; and attachment means operably connected with said platform and ramp to facilitate selective and releasable attachment and detachment of said platform and ramp. 
         [0012]    It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair platform and detachable ramp to enable a person seated in a wheelchair to be in an elevated position (approximately six inches above the floor level) for the convenience of an opthalmologic slit lamp examination. 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair platform and detachable ramp to enable a person seated in a wheelchair to be in an elevated position (approximately six inches above the floor level) for home use, for example, to elevate to a standard size dining room table. 
         [0014]    Other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to other persons after having been exposed to the present patent application when read in conjunction with the accompanying patent drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the platform of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the platform of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view, partly in section, of the platform and ramp depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view of the spring-loaded wheel circled in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view, partly in section, of the mating components circled in  FIG. 4   
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view, partly in section, of a platform and ramp of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view, partly in section, of the mating components circled in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view, partly in section, of a platform and ramp of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged view, partly in section, of the locking components circled in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]      FIGS. 1-6  illustrate an apparatus  20  including a wheelchair platform  21  and a detachable ramp  22  in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. 
         [0026]    The platform  21  has any desired height, and other dimensions to accommodate the smallest to largest wheelchair  23 . Preferably, but not necessarily, the platform  21  may have a height dimension “a” to elevate the wheelchair  23  approximately six inches above the floor  24  for the convenience of an opthalmologic examination, or at standard size dining table, etc. 
         [0027]    The platform  21  is provided with three raised sides  25 ,  26  and  27  to prevent the wheelchair  23  from rolling off the chair-receiving surface  35  of the platform  21 . 
         [0028]    Once the wheelchair  23  is in position on the platform  21 , the brakes of the wheelchair  23  prevent the wheelchair  23  from rolling forward. 
         [0029]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the platform  21  may include wheels  28 ,  29 ,  30  and  31  at its bottom side  32  to provide ease in positioning or moving the platform  21 . 
         [0030]    As best seen in  FIG. 5 , each wheel arrangement may be a spring-loaded wheel that includes a spherical ball wheel, e.g., wheel  31 , biased downwardly by a spring  33 . In this manner, when weight is applied to the platform  21 , the platform  21  will rest on the floor  24 . 
         [0031]    The ramp  22  is the same width as the platform  21  as best illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0032]    The ramp  22  is provided with a gentle slope or grade  34  to provide ease of movement of the wheelchair  23  from the floor  24  onto the chair-receiving surface  35  of the platform  23 . 
         [0033]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the ramp  22  may include wheels  36 ,  37 ,  38  and  39  (similar to the spring-loaded wheels  28 ,  29 ,  30  and  31 ) at its bottom side  40  to provide ease in positioning or moving the ramp  22 . 
         [0034]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the platform  21  and the ramp  22  may also be provided with rubber footings to prevent sliding on hard surfaced floors. 
         [0035]    The platform  21  and ramp  22  are provided with mating components for facilitating selectable and releasable attachment and detachment of the platform  21  and ramp  22 . 
         [0036]    The ramp  22  may be provided with male components  41  and  42  for mating with female components  43  and  44 , respectively, of the platform  21 . 
         [0037]    Alternatively, the platform  21  may be provided with male components  41  and  42  for mating with female components  43  and  44 , respectively, of the ramp  22 . 
         [0038]    The mating components are best illustrated in  FIG. 6 . For example, the male component  42  includes a projection member  45  having a spring-loaded ball  46 . The female component  44  includes a chamber member  47  for receiving the projection member  45 , and also includes a detent  48  in which the spring-loaded ball  46  may releasably be received. 
         [0039]    The ramp  22  is provided with raised sides  49  and  50 . 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , there is illustrated an apparatus  60  in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0041]    The apparatus  60  includes a platform  61  having three raised sides  62 ,  63  and  64 , spring-loaded wheels  65 ,  66 ,  67  and  68 , and dovetail mortises  69  and  70 . 
         [0042]    The apparatus  60  also includes a detachable ramp  71  having two raised sides  72  and  73 , spring-loaded wheels  74 ,  75 ,  76  and  77 , and dovetail tenons  78  and  79 . 
         [0043]    The male tenons  78  and  79  slide down into the female mortises  69  and  70 , respectively. 
         [0044]    Alternatively, the platform  61  can have the tenons  78  and  79 ; and the ramp  71  can have the mortises  69  and  70 . 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , there is illustrated an apparatus  80  in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]    The apparatus  80  includes a platform  81  having three raised sides  82 ,  83  and  84 , spring-loaded wheels  85 ,  86 ,  87  and  88 , and quick-release toggle clamp members  89  and  90 . 
         [0047]    The apparatus  80  also includes a detachable ramp  91  having two raised sides  92  and  93 , spring-loaded wheels  94 ,  95 ,  96  and  97 , and quick-release toggle clamp members  98  and  99 . 
         [0048]    The clamp members  98  and  99  mate with clamp members  89  and  90 , respectively, to provide quick-release toggle clamps for selectively locking together the platform  81  and the detachable ramp  91 . 
         [0049]    Preferably, but not necessarily, the platform and/or ramp of any embodiment of the present invention can be provided with friction material on a top surface thereof, and/or rubber footings on a bottom surface thereof to prevent sliding on hard surfaced floors. 
         [0050]    There have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove several of the unique and novel embodiments of the present invention which can be practiced and constructed in many different configurations, arrangements of components, sizes, and shapes. 
         [0051]    It should be understood that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications will become apparent to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to others after having been exposed to the present patent specification and accompanying drawings. 
         [0052]    Any and all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are therefore covered by and embraced within the present invention and the patent claims set forth hereinbelow.