U.S. patent application number 12/478625 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for portable wheelchair ramp.
Invention is credited to Patrick L. Campbell.
Application Number | 20090300860 12/478625 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41398968 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090300860 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campbell; Patrick L. |
December 10, 2009 |
PORTABLE WHEELCHAIR RAMP
Abstract
This invention provides a mobile wheelchair ramp comprising: (a)
a main body comprising first and second ends and sides; (b) at
least one wheel secured beneath the main body; (c) hand rails; and
(d) at least one pair of legs for grounding the ramp; where the
ramp can be transformed from an extended position to a stowed
position.
Inventors: |
Campbell; Patrick L.;
(Gardnerville, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BULLIVANT HOUSER BAILEY PC
1415 L STREET, SUITE 1000
SACRAMENTO
CA
95814
US
|
Family ID: |
41398968 |
Appl. No.: |
12/478625 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61058822 |
Jun 4, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
14/72.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2011/005 20130101;
A61G 3/061 20130101; E04F 11/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
14/72.5 |
International
Class: |
E04F 11/00 20060101
E04F011/00 |
Claims
1. A mobile wheelchair ramp comprising: (a) a main body comprising
first and second ends and sides; (b) at least one wheel secured
beneath said main body; (c) hand rails; and (d) at least one pair
of legs for grounding the ramp; wherein said ramp can be
transformed from an extended position to a stowed position.
2. The ramp of claim 1 wherein in said stowed position said ramp is
folded so that said hand rails are substantially parallel and
adjacent to the plane of said main body.
3. The ramp of claim 1 wherein in said extended position said ramp
is extended so that said hand rails are substantially parallel and
spaced from the plane of said main body.
4. The ramp of claim 1 wherein said main body portion further
comprising at least one telescoping extension from at least one of
said first and second ends.
5. The ramp of claim 1 further comprising a braking mechanism for
said at least one wheel.
6. The ramp of claim 1 wherein said at least one wheel comprises a
pair of wheels on a common axle.
7. The ramp of claim 1 wherein said legs are retractable.
8. The ramp of claim 1 wherein said retractable legs are
telescoping.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Copyright Notice
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent files and records, but otherwise
reserves all other copyright rights.
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to ramps for wheelchairs and the
like.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] As we all age, some of us will eventually need to use a
walker or wheelchair. Some of us will be relegated to the same, due
to illness or disease; not just because of aging.
[0006] When that happens, we will need to access homes of family,
friends, neighbors, etc. Or perhaps we will want to visit
commercial establishments that do not have a permanent handicap
ramp.
[0007] Several prior art ramps have attempted to provide a modular
or easily assembled ramp for adapting stairs for wheelchair access.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,388, to Warford, issued Jul. 10, 2007, and
titled "Adjustable Quick Disconnect Portable Wheel Chair Ramp,
provides a modular portable wheel chair ramp comprising a plurality
of mechanically interconnected modular ramp sections. Ramp sections
are supported by adjustable post assemblies on ramp section sides.
A rail panel comprising upper and lower rails extend between said
outer post on one end and a second post matching in complement the
outer post on an opposite end wherein said second post of a first
rail panel removably connects to an outer post of an adjacent rail
panel therein connecting said rail panels together. Slats
connecting between upper and lower rails form a rail panel. An
inner rail is also secured between the posts, interlocking with an
extended lug on an inner rail section end fitting into a matching
hole in an adjacent inner rail section end to make a continuous
inner section rail.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,796, issues to Crump, Apr. 3, 1990, and
titled "Adjustable Height Wheelchair Ramp with Supporting Legs",
discloses an adjustable height wheelchair ramp with supporting legs
comprised of a pair of ramps, each end of each ramp containing a
ramp end section and attached to each ramp is a height adjustment
and supporting mechanism to support the ramps when in use. This
height adjustment and supporting mechanism is comprised of a first
and second leg and a foot which supports the ramps when they are in
use. In conventional wheelchair ramps, especially where long
distances are being spanned by the ramps, conventional ramps will
tend to deflect resulting in a dangerous condition for the
individual using the ramp and also limiting the life and utility of
the ramp. By use of the height adjustment ramp support of the
adjustable height, wheelchair ramp with supporting legs the ramp
can be used for a large range of heights while still providing a
stable, secure, relatively light wheelchair ramp system.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,050, to Sardonico, Jul. 16, 2002, and
titled "Mobile Device for Disabled Persons", discloses a mobile
device for disabled persons comprising a trolley carrying a
vertically displaceable platform designed to bear a wheelchair. The
trolley is motor-driven and is equipped with an aligning system to
line-up the platform with respect to an access site of the
wheelchair. The platform can also be shifted in a transverse
direction relative to the trolley and includes a transfer ramp
longitudinally displaceable between a retracted position and an
extended position
[0010] None of the prior approaches have been able to provide a
truly portable and easily storable ramp for wheelchairs and the
like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] This invention provides a mobile wheelchair ramp comprising:
(a) a main body comprising first and second ends and sides; (b) at
least one wheel secured beneath the main body; (c) hand rails; and
(d) at least one pair of legs for grounding the ramp; where the
ramp can be transformed from an extended position to a stowed
position.
[0012] In one embodiment in the stowed position the ramp is folded
so that the hand rails are substantially parallel and adjacent to
the plane of the main body.
[0013] In one embodiment in the extended position the ramp is
extended so that the hand rails are substantially parallel and
spaced from the plane of the main body.
[0014] In one embodiment the main body portion further comprising
at least one telescoping extension from at least one of the first
and second ends.
[0015] In one embodiment further comprising a braking mechanism for
the at least one wheel.
[0016] In one embodiment the at least one wheel comprises a pair of
wheels on a common axle.
[0017] In one embodiment the legs are retractable.
[0018] In one embodiment the retractable legs are telescoping.
[0019] These and other features and advantages of this invention
are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed
description of various exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and
methods according to this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] A more complete understanding of the present invention and
the attendant features and advantages thereof may be had by
reference to the following detailed description when considered in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 shows the wheelchair ramp of the invention in its
closed position, from above.
[0022] FIG. 2 is the side view of the wheelchair ramp of the
invention in its stowed position.
[0023] FIG. 3 depicts the side view of the extended ramp.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a human stick figure pushing the wheelchair
ramp of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The products and methods of the present invention provide a
wheelchair ramp that is easily portable and storable.
[0026] The wheelchair ramp of the invention will allow us ease of
access to any facility that does not have a permanent ramp.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows the wheelchair ramp of the invention in its
closed position, from above. The handgrip is at the right and the
wheel end at the left. The extension, handrails and grade flap are
indicated in their stowed positions.
[0028] FIG. 2 is the side view of the wheelchair ramp of the
invention in its stowed position, again with the handgrip at the
right and wheel end at the left. Grade flap, handrails and
extension are indicated in their stowed positions.
[0029] FIG. 3 depicts the side view of the extended ramp, with all
operating parts in open and/or extended positions. The handrail
pivots up, placing the legs firmly on the ground (lifting the
wheels off the ground). The grade flap is rotated back to meet the
grade at the handgrip end. The hidden/stowed extension is pulled
into position on the top desired step. All rotating or pivoting
parts are locked into position with a cotter pin or other
mechanism.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a human stick figure pushing the wheelchair
ramp of the invention into position, steering it just like a hand
truck.
[0031] With two wheels and a simple axel, the bed of the ramp is
made of injection-molded plastic with a tensile strength sufficient
to support 300 pounds of weight. When in position the handrails are
extended, placing the support legs upright and pulling/pushing the
wheels off the ground. The grade access flap is pulled back to meet
the grade at one end. The stowed extension is then pulled out to
reach the top step desired to transit. Anyone with a wheelchair or
walker will now have instant access to any home, office or store
that does not have a permanent access ramp.
[0032] Engineered similar to a hand truck, the wheelchair ramp of
the invention is as mobile and navigable as a wheelbarrow or
pushcart. It stows away in the garage or is portable in the back of
a station wagon, van or pick up truck. When the handicapped parents
or loved ones, visitors, friends, etc. choose to visit a home or
office that does not have a permanent access ramp, the wheelchair
ramp of the invention only needs to be wheeled out to position,
opened up and voila, instant access.
[0033] If a family or commercial operation elects to relocate, they
can simply take the wheelchair ramp of the invention with them to
their new home or location.
[0034] The wheelchair ramp of the invention can be passed on to
other generations or users as the need develops. For example: If
Grandmother or Grandfather needs the ramp now, when they pass on it
can be used by the Boomer son or daughter should their need develop
later.
[0035] The wheelchair ramp of the invention allows the freedoms
earlier extended to people that are more ambulatory, letting the
less ambulatory go where we want, visit who we want, without having
to be carried over steps to get there.
[0036] We'll simply stow the wheelchair ramp of the invention in
our garage, or in our vehicle, giving us the opportunity to transit
obstacles that previously prevented us from doing so.
[0037] The wheelchair ramp of the invention is designed to allow
handicap access to homes and commercial locations that do not have
built-in, permanent handicap ramps. With 86 million Baby Boomers
and millions of their parents needing handicap access, the
wheelchair ramp of the invention will provide access where not
previously available.
[0038] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of
the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative,
not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *