Patent ID: 8371427

Claim:
A portable loading and unloading ramp comprising: a plurality of rails each comprising a plurality of wheel wells in a top surface of the rails, the plurality of rails coupled parallel to each other with at least one of a center mast connection sleeve, a mooring plate assembly, and a resting block; a plurality of wire cable assemblies, wherein each one of the plurality of wire cable assemblies is coupled to an underside of a different one of the plurality of rails on a first end of the rail and on a second end of the rail opposite the first end; a plurality of center masts, wherein each one of the plurality of center masts is hingedly coupled to the underside of a different one of the plurality of rails such that when the center mast is extended outward substantially perpendicular to the underside of the rail, the center mast exerts tension on wire cable assembly coupled to the respective rail of the plurality of rails; a plurality of movable axles, each one of the plurality of axles movably coupled to one of the plurality of rails across a different one of the plurality of wheel wells, wherein each one of the plurality of axles moves bilaterally responsive to movement of cargo on the ramp; a plurality of wheels, each one of the plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to a different one of the plurality of axles and at least partially within a different one of the plurality of wheel wells, each of the plurality of wheels rotatable independent of each other of the plurality of wheels; and a plurality of friction pads each removably coupled to the top surface of at least one of the plurality of rails, each of the plurality of friction pads substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the at least one of the plurality of rails and at least partially within the at least one of the plurality of rails at a different one of the plurality of wheel wells.