Abstract:
An amusement ramp structure usable in conjunction with a wheeled vehicle which takes the form of a ramp that has an arcuate outer surface. The lower edge of the ramp is adapted to be located directly against a supporting surface. Attached to an upper edge of the ramp is a deck with this deck being movable from a horizontal position to a vertical position so that the ramp structure can be placed in two different configurations of usage. The deck is mounted on a deck frame with this deck frame being separatable into two parts in order to collapse the ramp structure to occupy a minimum amount of space to facilitate storage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a ramp structure that is to be usable to provide aerial lift and interaction for grinding maneuvers (not just a kicker) for humans on skateboards, bicycles, in-line skates and other types of wheeled vehicles and more particularly to a ramp structure that can be placed in different configurations of usage and also can be collapsed to minimize the amount of space that the ramp structure occupies when the ramp structure is being stored. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The ramp structure of this invention is going to be described in relation principally to a skateboard. However, it is considered to be within the scope of this invention that the ramp structure could be used with bicycles, in-line skates, scooters as well as other types of wheeled vehicles. 
     Skateboard enthusiasts, within the past few years, have taken skateboarding to include grinding maneuvers and aerial acrobatics. To perform these aerial acrobatics, there is required some type of a structure upon which the skateboard is to be operated. One type of structure is commonly known as a “half pipe”. The skateboarder is to maneuver himself or herself back and forth across the internal surface of the half pipe when performing the grinding maneuvers and aerial acrobatics. However, there are other types of structures other than half pipes that are enjoyed by skateboarders. One type of structure is known as a rail where the skateboarder pops up (an ollie) onto the rail and maneuvers along the rail for a period of time and then hops off the rail. Another type of structure would be a ramp that is to simulate a portion of a half pipe, such as a “quarter pipe”. 
     In the past, there have been constructed ramps that are to be used by skateboarders. However, these ramps principally are constructed of a solid configuration and form a concave exterior surface upon which the skateboard is to be ridden. At the upper edge of the ramp, there may be included a planar horizontal surface which is termed a deck. One of the disadvantages to these prior art types of ramps is that such only has one configuration of usage. Another disadvantage is that the ramps are not disassemblable so that the ramps occupy a maximum amount of space even when the ramps are not being used. This makes it difficult to easily store such ramps in one&#39;s garage or storage facility. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The structure of this invention is to have as one objective a ramp which is sturdy and which can be easily collapsed for transportation and/or storage. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to construct a ramp which can be positioned next to another one of the same or different ramps (or other structure) so that such may be joined (via hardware) to form a compound structure that offers additional opportunity for aerial acrobatics or grinding maneuvers. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to construct a ramp which can be placed in multiple configurations of usage which will provide to the user a greater degree of interest over a longer period of time. 
     The basic embodiment of amusement ramp structure of the present invention utilizes a ramp that has an arcuate outer surface with the ramp having an upper edge and a lower edge. The lower edge is adapted to be placed against a supporting surface with the upper edge being spaced from the supporting surface. A deck, which has a substantially planar exterior surface, is to be mounted to the upper edge of the ramp. The deck is movable relative to the ramp between a horizontally oriented position and a vertically oriented position. A supporting leg structure is fixedly attached to the deck with the supporting leg structure adapted to rest on the supporting surface when the ramp is in the horizontally oriented position. The supporting leg structure functions to support the deck. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the basic embodiment is modified by the arcuate outer surface being concave in configuration. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the basic embodiment is modified by the deck being pivotally movable relative to the ramp. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the basic embodiment is modified by the ramp including a base wedge which has a lower planar surface which is to be placed in direct contact with the supporting surface and the base wedge also having in longitudinal cross-sectional triangular configuration. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the basic embodiment is modified by the deck being separatable into two parts and when separated the ramp structure is collapsed to occupy a minimum amount of space to facilitate storage. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by the two parts of the deck being connected together in a telescoping manner. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the basic embodiment is modified to include bracing connected between deck and the ramp. The bracing defines a limit of movement of the ramp when in the horizontally oriented position. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by the bracing comprising a flexible webbing. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by the flexible webbing taking the form of a series of straps. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a left side/frontal view of the ramp structure of the present invention showing the ramp structure in a first configuration of usage; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a plurality of the ramp structures which are located in disassembled configurations and stacked together to occupy a minimum amount of space during storage; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the ramp structure of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the mounting of two of the ramp structures together with one ramp structure being in one (quarter pipe) configuration and the second ramp structure being in another (spine) configuration of usage; and 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of two ramp structures which are placed abutting each other with each ramp structure being in the spine configuration of usage where the two ramp structures cooperate to form a further configuration of usage. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown the ramp structure  10  of this invention. The ramp structure  10  includes a sheet material ramp  12  which will normally be constructed of plastic, fiberglass, metal or wood material. The ramp structure  10  has an outer surface  14  which preferably will be concave. The inner surface of the ramp  12  is fixedly mounted to a series of brace members  16  which are mounted in a crossed relationship. It is the function of the brace members  16  to provide strength to the ramp  12 . 
     Fixedly mounted to the upper edge  18  of the ramp  12  is a center tube  20 . The center tube  20  is centrally disposed on the upper edge  18 . Mounted against the lower edge  22  of the ramp  12  is a base wedge  24  which is part of the ramp structure. The base wedge  24  constitutes a strip of material that is precisely the same width as the ramp  12 . The base wedge  24  is basically triangular shaped in configuration and forms a planar bottom  26 . The planar bottom  26  is to rest against the supporting surface  28 . A typical supporting surface  28  would be a cement or asphalt driveway or patio, or could comprise a floor of a building structure. It is to be noted that the outer free edge  30  of the base wedge  24  is exceedingly narrow and is essentially flat with the supporting surface  28 . The base wedge  24  includes an elongated indentation  32 . The lower edge  22  of the ramp  12  physically connects with the indentation  32 . This connection can be in the form of an adhesive or could be by means of fasteners, such as screws or bolts. The base wedge  24  could be removable and another structure, such as a ground sheet, could be placed in conjunction with the ramp structure. 
     A support leg structure  34  has three in number of spaced apart legs  36 . The number of the support legs  36  can be increased or decreased without departing from the scope of this invention. The support leg structure  34  has a foot plate  38 . The foot plate  38  is fixedly connected between each of the support legs  36 . The foot plate  38  includes a pair of spaced apart slots  40 . Each of the slots  40  are to connect with a webbing strap  42 . The opposite end of each of the webbing straps  42  is to be fixedly connected with a slot  41  formed on an inside surface of the base wedge  24 . 
     The support leg structure  34  has an upper plate  44 . The upper end of each of the support legs  36  is fixedly mounted to the upper plate  44 . The upper plate  44  has an upper planar surface. Positioned at the upper plate  44  are a plurality of plastic rings  46 . There are shown four in number of the rings  46  located in a spaced apart manner. These rings  46  are separate from the upper plate  44 . Each of the rings  46  have a through hole  47  with the through holes of a pair of the rings  46  to be in alignment with the through passage  21  through of the center tube  20 . This will place a ring  46  at each end of the center tube  20  with the diameter of each through hole  47  being of the same diameter as the through passage  21 . 
     Located in alignment with the through passage  21  and the through holes  47  is a pair of side tubes  48  and  50 . A rod  52  is then to be conducted through the aligned holes of the rings  46  and also to be conducted through the aligned through passages  49  and  51  of the respective side tubes  48  and  50  and the through passage  21  of the center tube  20 . This, in essence, provides a hinge type connection that permits pivoting of the deck plate  45  relative to the ramp  12  since the deck plate  45  is fixedly mounted onto a deck plate frame that is composed of an elongated bar  54  and three in number of short tubes  56  which are fixed onto upper plate  44 . The combined length of side tubes  48  and  50  is to equal the length of center tube  20  in order to prevent any twisting of the overall structure. The length of side tube  48  is equal to the length of side tube  50 . Each short tube  56  has an open end that provides access into an internal passage within the short tube  56 . Within the internal passage of each short tube  56  there is to be telescopingly located a connecting bar  58  with it being understood that there is a separate connecting bar  58  for each short tube  56 . Each connecting bar  58  is fixedly mounted to a brace  60  with it being understood that there are three in number of the braces  60 . Fixedly mounted onto the brace  60  is a deck  62 . The deck  62  has an upper planar surface that is located flush to the upper planar surface of a deck plate  45 . The deck  62  is to be located abuttingly against the deck plate  45 . Deck  62  has an end flange  63  that abuts against the outer end of braces  60 . 
     The deck  62 , which includes braces  60  and the connecting bars  58 , can be manually disengaged from the elongated bar  54  and the short tubes  56 . This will permit the deck  62  as well as the two secured members to be located in juxtaposition with the ramp  12 , as is clearly shown in FIG.  2 . This will permit the ramp structure  10  to be partially disassembled so as to facilitate storage and actually a plurality of the ramp structures  10  can be stored in a stacked relationship, as is shown in FIG. 2, occupying a minimum amount of space. 
     The support leg structure  34  can be pivoted from a position substantially abutting against the undersurface of the ramp  12  to an outwardly extended position, which is clearly shown in FIGS. 1,  3  and  4 . In this outwardly extended position, the webbing straps  42  will be stretched taut. The foot plate  38  will be resting against the supporting surface  28  and the upper planar surface of the deck  62  and the deck plates  44  will be located substantially horizontal and parallel to the supporting surface  28 . This is defined as a first usage configuration where a user, such as a skateboard enthusiast, can be able to propel himself or herself up the outer surface  14  and land on the deck  62  or the deck plate  45 . 
     In a second configuration, the supporting leg structure  34  can be located directly adjacent the brace members  16 . This will locate the deck  62  substantially vertical, ninety degrees displaced from the position shown in FIG. 1 with end flange  63  located on the supporting surface. With the ramp structure  10  used in this position, the user can propel herself or himself up the outer surface  14  and fly exteriorly and off the ramp structure  10  or can come down (grind) against the spine  64  which is composed of cover  53  and tubes  20 ,  48 , and  50  and the rings  46 . The tubes  20 ,  48  and  50  may be covered with a slide-on or snap-on coping  53  to provide a perfectly smooth surface for the spine. This may be attached via adhesive or a nut and bolt hardware. 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 4, there is shown a ramp structure  10  that is located in the first configuration adjoined with a ramp structure  10  that is located in the second configuration. 
     Referring particularly to FIG. 5, there are two ramp structures  10  that are abutting each other in the second configuration with the result that the spine  64  is of double width. 
     There may be added a guard rail that interconnects between the foot plate  38  and the deck  62 . The guard rail will extend above the surface of the deck  62 . The guard rail is to provide protection against a user inadvertently falling off the deck  62  as well as adding additional structural bracing to the deck  62  to keep the deck  62  from deflecting when a user is located on the deck  62 .