Abstract:
The portable folding ramp facilitates transfer of large, heavy objects that cannot be conveniently hand carried up and down inclines (steps, etc.). The portable folding ramp includes one or more ramp members (preferably two, and perhaps three) that attach removably to a folding crossmember. The crossmember includes an elongate slot with a series of short positioning slots extending transversely therefrom. Each ramp member includes a pin at its upper end, with the pin installing removably in the elongate slot. The pin (and its ramp member) is then positioned along the elongate slot to the desired positioning slot to set the lateral spacing between ramps. The apparatus is folded for storage by (a) retracting the telescoping ramp(s), (b) folding the crossmember back upon itself, (c) positioning the ramp(s) attachment(s) at the extreme ends of the crossmember, and (d) pivoting the ramp(s) to align with the crossmember. A storage container is provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to portable devices for scaling inclines and the like, and particularly to a portable folding ramp to facilitate movement of large and heavy wheeled articles, e.g., persons in wheelchairs, up and down stairways and the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The transport or movement of large, heavy, and or bulky objects that cannot be reasonably carried by a person up and down stairs and/or other inclines, is an ongoing problem. Innumerable devices, systems, and mechanisms have been developed in the past as solutions to this problem, including elevators, ladders, and other devices. 
     A subset of the above problem is the challenge of moving an object up and down a stairway or a set of steps. This is increasingly important in the modern world, as greater attention to the needs of paraplegics and others with limited mobility has been given. In many areas of the world, laws have been passed that require provisions for access to public places for persons having such handicaps. This has resulted in wheelchair ramps and other accommodations for such people, with such accommodations also aiding the movement of large appliances, furniture dollies, and other such large and heavy objects. 
     The above-noted laws and rules generally apply only to places with public access. They do not generally apply to private homes, and in many areas of the world such laws and rules requiring public access have not been implemented. Accordingly, a number of stair-climbing devices, ramps, and other mechanisms and devices have been developed in the past in response to this problem. These are often temporary installations that are removed once the object (e.g., a large and heavy appliance) has been moved up or down the incline, but most are relatively crude planks with little or no provision for compact storage. While some such devices capable of disassembly and/or folding have been developed in the past, they are generally still too bulky for convenient transport by a person in a wheelchair or the like for use by that person when the need arises. 
     Thus, a portable folding ramp solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The portable folding ramp includes at least one ramp member, and preferably two or perhaps three or more such members, that are removably attached to a crossmember at the upper ends of the ramp members. The assembly is particularly well suited for temporary installation upon a stairway within a building structure or the like, having smooth floors, as the crossmember includes a pair of industrial suction cups for temporarily and removably locking the crossmember to the underlying surface. 
     The crossmember further includes an elongate slot extending substantially from end to end, with a series of shorter slots extending transversely therefrom to permit precise adjustment of the lateral spacing of plural ramp members when installed. Each of the ramp members has an upper end with a pin depending therefrom, with the pin having a large diameter head. The head of the pin is inserted through an opening in the crossmember, and the pin (and upper end of the ramp from which the pin depends) is adjusted along the elongate slot to one of the shorter transverse slots as desired for positioning. 
     The crossmember is hinged at its center to permit folding. Each of the ramp members comprises a plurality of mutually telescoping sections, for compact storage. The ramps can be removed from the crossmember, or the entire assembly can be folded for compact storage by (a) retracting the telescoping ramp members, (b) sliding the attachment pins of the ramp members to the extreme ends of the elongate slot of the crossmember, (c) folding the crossmember, and (d) pivoting the retracted ramp members about their pins, to align the ramp members with the folded crossmember. (The order of the steps in the above-described procedure is not critical.) A storage container is provided for the folded ramp and crossmember assembly. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a portable folding ramp according to the present invention, illustrating its general configuration and use. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the portable folding ramp according to the present invention 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the crossmember component of the portable folding ramp according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the crossmember component of the portable folding ramp according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view showing the detail of the ramp attachment to the crossmember component of the portable folding ramp according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the portable folding ramp of  FIG. 1 , showing the two ramps in their retracted configuration. 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the portable folding ramp of  FIG. 6A , showing the crossmember partially folded. 
         FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the portable folding ramp of  FIG. 6B , showing the crossmember completely folded with one of the two ramps overlying the other. 
         FIG. 6D  is a perspective view of the portable folding ramp of  FIG. 6C , showing the two retracted ramps pivoted to orient the ramps in the same direction as the folded crossmember. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the portable folding ramp according to the present invention, showing the folded ramp assembly of  FIG. 6D  placed in a storage and carrying container. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The portable folding ramp is configured and constructed for carriage by a person confined to a wheelchair or otherwise having limited mobility for negotiating steps and similar inclines. The portable folding ramp can be deployed by such a person and extended up or down a series of steps or other incline for use by the person of limited mobility, and then folded, stored, and carried by the person for further future use as needed. The portable folding ramp can also be used by moving crews and the like for moving large and heavy articles of furniture, large appliances, and the like, up and down stairs and other inclines. 
       FIG. 1  of the drawings provides an environmental perspective view of a first embodiment of the portable folding ramp  10 , showing its utility in allowing a wheelchair W to ascend or descend a series of stairs or steps S. The portable folding ramp  10  essentially comprises a single folding crossmember  12  having at least one ramp member  14 , and preferably two or perhaps more such ramp members, detachably and pivotally connected thereto. The crossmember  12  is placed at the top of the steps S or other incline, and the ramp member(s)  14  are attached to the crossmember  12 , spaced laterally as required for the wheels of the wheelchair W (or other structure of the device that is to negotiate the incline), and extended down the steps S or incline for use. 
       FIG. 2  of the drawings is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the portable folding ramp, designated as portable folding ramp  100 . The portable folding ramp  100  includes all of the various components of the portable folding ramp  10 , but also includes a third ramp member  14 . It will be seen that this configuration is exemplary, and that any practicable number of ramp members  14 , i.e., one or more, can be detachably assembled with the crossmember  12  as needed. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  respectively provide top and bottom perspective views of the crossmember  12 . The crossmember  12  comprises a first portion  16   a  having a first end  18   a , and a second portion  16   b  with a second end  18   b . The two portions  16   a ,  16   b  are joined by a central hinge  20  ( FIG. 4 ) to allow the two components  16   a ,  16   b  to be folded for storage. The crossmember  12  further includes an upper surface  22  and an opposite lower surface  24  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     The upper surface  22  provides for the removable attachment of the ramp member(s)  14  thereto. The upper surface  22  of the crossmember  12  includes an elongate primary slot  26  that extends substantially from the first end  18   a  to the opposite second end  18   b , or at least from points adjacent the first end  18   a  and the second end  18   b  of the crossmember  12 . A plurality of relatively short ramp positioning slots  28  extend transversely from the primary slot  26 . The primary slot  26  and the shorter ramp positioning slots  28  all have a relatively wide main channel with a narrower upper portion, i.e., overhangs, to capture a compatibly shaped attachment therein and to prevent the attachment from being pulled directly out of the slots. An entrance keyway  30  extends laterally from the primary slot  26  and has a wider entry point to allow the wider head of an attachment, e.g., a ramp attachment pin, to be inserted therein and captured along the slot(s)  26  and/or  28  when the attachment is slid along the slot(s). The shorter ramp positioning slots can be provided with indicia  32  to indicate the positioning of a pin(s) or attachment(s) therein. 
     The opposite lower surface  24  of the folding crossmember  12  is shown in  FIG. 4  of the drawings. The lower surface  24  includes first and second suction cups, respectively  34   a  and  34   b , adjacent the respective first and second ends  18   a ,  18   b  of the crossmember  12 . The suction cups  34   a ,  34   b  are selectively operable by means of handles  36   a ,  36   b  extending from the opposite upper surface  22  of the crossmember  12 . Each of the handles  36   a ,  36   b  comprises two parts having a generally D-shaped configuration. Suction is applied to the cups when the handles are pivotally raised from their bases and folded together and released when the two components of each handle are lowered into their bases, as is known in the field of industrial suction cups. This system provides solid positive attachment of the crossmember  12  to any suitable smooth underlying surface, e.g., tile, painted and/or polished wood or other material, polished stone, etc. One or more pads  38  or other components of high friction material, e.g., rubber, soft plastic, etc., may be permanently attached to the lower surface  24  of the folding crossmember  12  for further security when the crossmember  12  is temporarily and removably attached to an underlying surface. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it will be noted that each extended ramp member  14  comprises five sections, designated as ramp sections  14   a  through  14   e . These ramp sections  14   a  through  14   e  telescope mutually relative to one another, with the distal sections  14   e  being the narrowest and telescoping into the next sections  14   d , the sections  14   d  telescoping into the medial sections  14   c , etc.  FIGS. 6A through 9 , discussed in detail further below, illustrate the completely retracted ramp sections. This not only allows the ramps  14  to be retracted to a compact length for convenient storage and carriage, but also provides for partial extension of the ramps  14  for relatively shorter inclines or stairways. 
       FIG. 5  of the drawings provides a detailed illustration of the first end  40  of a ramp member  14 , showing the means for attaching the ramp members  14  to the crossmember  12 . Each ramp member  14 , or more specifically each of the first ramp sections  14   a , includes a first end  40  that is attached to the ramp section  14   a  by a hinge  42 . This allows the crossmember  12  to be placed upon a level landing or the like, with the ramp members  14  extending down a slope of some variable angle. A crossmember attachment pin  44  depends from the underside of the first end  40 , with the pin  42  having a larger diameter head  46 . The ramp members  14  are adjustably and removably secured to the crossmember  12  by inserting the head  46  of the pin  44  through the larger diameter passage at the end of the entrance keyway slot  30  ( FIGS. 3 and 6A through 6C ) in the upper surface  22  of the crossmember  12 , sliding the pin  44  into the narrower portion of the keyway slot  30  to capture the head  46  of the pin  44  beneath the overlying edges of the slot, further sliding the pin  44  along the primary slot  26  of the crossmember  12  in the direction and to the location desired, and finally positioning the pin  44  in the desired one of the transverse ramp positioning slots  28  of the crossmember  12 . Disassembly of the ramps  14  from the crossmember  12  is accomplished by reversing the above-described installation procedure. 
       FIGS. 6A through 6D  provide a series of four progressive views illustrating the procedure for folding the portable folding ramp  10  for compact storage. In  FIG. 6A , the two ramp members  14  have been retracted, with the ramp sections  14   b ,  14   c ,  14   d , and  14   e  retracted into one another and into the larger section  14   a . The ramp members  14  can remain attached to the crossmember  12  throughout this process if so desired, as shown in  FIGS. 6A through 6D . 
     In  FIG. 6B , the crossmember  12  is shown partially folded about its hinge  20 . The crossmember  12  folding process continues until the first and second portions  16   a  and  16   b  of the crossmember  12  are folded together with their underlying or lower surfaces  24  immediately adjacent one another, as shown in  FIG. 6C . It will also be noted in  FIG. 6C  that the ramp members  14  have been repositioned from their positions shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , with their first ends  40  immediately adjacent the ends  18   a ,  18   b  of the crossmember  12 . This is accomplished by sliding the crossmember attachment pin  44  from its transverse ramp positioning slot  28  and along the primary slot  26  of the crossmember  12 , until the pin  44  reaches a hook-shaped or J-shaped ramp storage retaining slot  48  adjacent each end  18   a ,  18   b  of the crossmember  12 . When the crossmember attachment pins  44  of the ramps  14  are situated in these retaining slots  48  in the folded crossmember  12 , the assembly will appear generally as shown in  FIG. 6C . 
     In  FIG. 6D , the ramps  14  have been pivoted to lie parallel to the folded portions or sections of the crossmember  12 . As the crossmember attachment pins  44  of the ramps  14  have circular cross-sections, the ramps  14  can be pivotally aligned at any desired angle relative to the span of the crossmember  12 . This permits the retracted ramp sections  14   a  through  14   e  to be pivotally aligned with the folded portions of the crossmember  12  for more compact storage of the assembly, as shown in  FIG. 6D . 
     The completely folded portable folding ramp  10  as shown in  FIG. 6D  can be conveniently stored in a storage container  50 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The container  50  comprises a lower portion  50   a  with a lid  50   b , the container  50  being closed by a zipper  52  or other suitable closure means so secure the lid  50   b  completely to the lower portion  50   a . The storage container  50  preferably includes a carrying handle  54  and/or accessory attachment loop  56 , as well. 
     Accordingly, the portable folding ramp  10  and/or any of its related embodiments can be easily carried by a physically handicapped person for use as needed. For example, the attachment loop  56  of the storage container  50  allows the container  50  to be suspended from the handgrip of a wheelchair or the like until needed. The user need only reach around to access the storage container  50 , open the container, and deploy the portable folding ramp  10  generally in the reverse order of the steps for storage illustrated in  FIGS. 6A through 6D  and described further above. Additional security is provided for the user by providing a high friction surface  58  on the upper face  60  of the ramp members  14 , e.g., a textured or pierced surface as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 6A through 7 , or other high friction surface as desired. Further security to prevent undesired shifting of the distal ends of the ramp members  14  is provided by a high friction surface  62 , e.g., rubberized cleats, etc., disposed beneath the distal second ends  64  of the ramp members  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 6A through 7 . 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.