Patent ID: 12258249

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims.

FIG.1illustrates a partial view of a semi truck4with the improved ramp2positioned beneath the semi truck and in front of the dual tires. The improved ramp has a body8that is configured for supporting the weight of the inner tire of the semi truck such that the outer tire is elevated. The semi truck has inner tire7and outer tire6. The ramp has a body8that has a top surface10that is configured for support of the tire in a static position. The body extends to a ramp section14that leads to an apron12. The apron provides an elongate planer surface onto which the inner tire is initially driven. The weight of the inner tire on the apron prevents the device from being pushed away from the rolling tire. The device has a series of friction enhancing projections16on a bottom surface of the device. The friction enhancing projections further enhance the retention of the device beneath the tire. These friction enhancing projections are constructed to be adjustable in length, and preferably removable.

The friction enhancing projections preferably are adjustable in length. In the depicted embodiment, the friction enhancing projections are hex head bolts that are threadingly engaged with female threaded openings positioned on an underside of the device, as show in further detail inFIG.10.

FIG.2illustrates two of the devices2,3positioned on opposing sides of two dual sets of wheels6,7,8,9. The ramps are each positioned such that the inner tire of each dual set of wheels will roll on to the adjacent ramp. Forward ramp2is oriented such that inner tire7will roll onto the front ramp2. The second ramp3is positioned such that the inner tire9will roll onto the ramp if the semi truck rolls in the reverse direction. Placement of the inner tire on either ramps suspends the outer tire of the dual tire assembly, allowing the driver or other person to install the tire chain assembly on to the outer tire.

FIG.3illustrates an outer tire22suspended by the positioning of the ramp20beneath an inner tire (the inner tire is obscured by outer tire). The relationship of the outer tire to the inner tire is shown in further detail in the forward dual tire assembly represented by inner tire23and outer tire28.

FIG.4illustrates the outer tire22suspended such that its chain assembly26is being positioned on to the outer tire. The inner tire is positioned onto the body of the ramp apparatus20.FIG.5shows the full chain assembly assembled onto the outer tire24. The chain assembly is connected with tensioning bungee cords28, as is standard in applying vehicle chains to passenger or semi truck tires.

FIG.5shows the full chain assembly assembled onto the outer tire24. The chain assembly is connected with tensioning bungee cords28, as is standard in applying vehicle chains to passenger or semi truck tires.

FIG.6illustrates a top view of the preferred embodiment of the improved ramp apparatus. The front apron12extends forward and provides an elongate flat planer surface upon which a tire of the vehicle is to be driven. In a preferred embodiment this lower apron is approximately seven inches long. The thickness of this apron is configured such that the top surface of the apron is close to the ground, presenting a small step up toward the incline or sloped section of the device.

The apron extends to a sloped ramp having a slope of approximately sixty degrees from horizontal as shown as reference number A inFIG.1. The overall length of the ramp is approximately thirty inches with the width being ten inches to facilitate standard semi truck tire. The upper support surface, also called an upper apron, is preferably twelve inches long to provide for positioning of the inner tire on the upper apron in order to facilitate the application of the chain apparatus to the outer tire. The slop of the angle can vary between approximately fifty degrees to seventy degrees, however if the angle is too steep or too shallow it does not facilitate easy positioning of the inner tire upon the ramp.

Preferably, a traction enhancing surface texture is provided on the surfaces of the ramp that are in contact with tires. For example, in the depicted embodiment a metal grating has been applied to each surface on which a tire travels. The metal grating18is secured by fasteners19. Other friction enhancing textured surfaces can be used, including molding friction enhancing texture into molded plastic versions of the ramp, or other friction enhancing texture.

FIG.7illustrates a front prospective view of the ramp looking at the apron. The front edge50of the apron can be constructed with a beveled or sloped edge to facilitate driving of the tire onto the ramp. Preferably this bevel is at 45 degrees, or approximately thereabout. The ramp is positioned in front of or behind the inner tire of the dual tired vehicle. The inner tire is driven on to the ramp and to the suspension platform, thus suspending the outer tire in order for application of the chain. The lower apron is configured to be flat and have a upper surface that is parallel to the ground upon which the device rests.

FIG.8illustrates a rear view of the improved ramp. The projection16are configured to be height adjustable. In a preferred use, the projections under the apron are shorter than at a rear of the ramp. This allows the apron to be close to or just above the road surface, thus facilitating ease of rolling of the tire onto the apron.

FIG.9illustrates a side prospective view of the improved ramp.

FIG.10illustrates a bottom view of the improved ramp. A series of female threaded openings17are positioned through out the bottom surface of the ramp. A threaded hex bolt is shown positioned in one of the openings. This threaded hex bolt16can be adjusted into or out of the treaded opening to adjust the length of the traction improving projection. Alternate embodiments of traction improving projections can be utilized, such as straight shanks or other fastener head shapes.

FIG.11illustrates the friction enhancing surface being a metal grating applied to the bottom of the improved ramp device. The grating is preferably affixed by fasteners.

While certain preferred embodiments are shown in the figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.