U.S. patent application number 14/610886 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-28 for ramp bottom transition foot.
This patent application is currently assigned to WERNER CO.. The applicant listed for this patent is Kyle G. Astor, Robert D. Beggs, Brett A. Latimer. Invention is credited to Kyle G. Astor, Robert D. Beggs, Brett A. Latimer.
Application Number | 20150143642 14/610886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40253289 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150143642 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Astor; Kyle G. ; et
al. |
May 28, 2015 |
Ramp Bottom Transition Foot
Abstract
An apparatus for wheeling a vehicle onto a truck or trailer
includes a ramp. The apparatus includes a mounting portion attached
to the ramp that mounts to the truck or trailer. The apparatus
includes a transition piece the pivotally attaches to the ramp and
contacts ground when the mounting portion is mounted to the truck
or trailer. A method for placing a vehicle onto a truck or trailer
includes the steps of attaching a mounting portion of a ramp to the
truck or trailer. There is the step of moving a transition piece
attached to the ramp so the transition piece contacts ground. There
is the step of wheeling the vehicle across the transition piece, up
the ramp and onto the truck or trailer.
Inventors: |
Astor; Kyle G.; (Meadville,
PA) ; Latimer; Brett A.; (New Castle, PA) ;
Beggs; Robert D.; (Stoneboro, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Astor; Kyle G.
Latimer; Brett A.
Beggs; Robert D. |
Meadville
New Castle
Stoneboro |
PA
PA
PA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
WERNER CO.
Greenville
PA
|
Family ID: |
40253289 |
Appl. No.: |
14/610886 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13568829 |
Aug 7, 2012 |
8944743 |
|
|
14610886 |
|
|
|
|
11827503 |
Jul 12, 2007 |
8256053 |
|
|
13568829 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
14/69.5 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
B65G 69/287 20130101; B65G 69/30 20130101; B65G 67/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
14/69.5 ;
29/428 |
International
Class: |
B65G 69/28 20060101
B65G069/28; B65G 67/04 20060101 B65G067/04; B65G 69/30 20060101
B65G069/30 |
Claims
1-6. (canceled)
7. An apparatus for wheeling a vehicle onto a truck or trailer
comprising: a ramp; a mounting portion attached to the ramp that
mounts to the truck or trailer; and a transition piece that
pivotally attaches to the ramp and contacts ground when the
mounting portion is mounted to the truck or trailer.
8. An apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein the ramp includes a
pivot member about which the transition piece pivots.
9. An apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein the transition
piece is curved.
10. An apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein the transition
piece includes a top portion which is positioned about the tube to
pivot about the tube.
11. An apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein the transition
piece includes a bottom portion which is arched and extends from
the top portion to ground.
12. An apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the ramp includes
a right side rail and a left side rail.
13. An apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein the ramp includes
cross braces.
14. An apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein the ramp is
arched.
15. An apparatus as described in claim 14 wherein the ramp
folds.
16. An apparatus as described in claim 15 wherein the ramp supports
a load of at least 150 lbs.
17. An apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein the ramp supports
a load of at least 500 lbs.
18. An apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein the ramp supports
a load of at least 1000 lbs.
19. An apparatus as described in claim 18 wherein the mounting
portion includes fingers.
20. A method for placing a vehicle onto a truck or trailer
comprising: attaching a mounting portion of a ramp to the truck or
trailer; moving a transition piece attached to the ramp so the
transition piece contacts ground; and wheeling the vehicle across
the transition piece, up the ramp and onto the truck or
trailer.
21. A method as described in claim 20 wherein the moving step
includes the step of pivoting the transition piece about a pivot
member of the ramp.
22. A method as described in claim 21 wherein the wheeling step
includes the step of wheeling the vehicle across the transition
piece which is curved.
23. A method as described in claim 22 wherein the pivoting step
includes the step of rotating a top portion of the transition piece
about the tube.
24. A method as described in claim 23 wherein the rotating step
includes the step of rotating the top portion about the tube and a
bottom portion which is arched and extends from the top portion to
ground.
25. A method as described in claim 24 wherein the ramp includes a
right side rail and a left side rail.
26. A method as described in claim 25 wherein the ramp includes
cross braces.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/568,829 filed Aug. 7, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,743, which
is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/827,503
filed Jul. 12, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,256,053 issued on Sep. 4,
2012, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is related to an apparatus for
wheeling a vehicle onto a truck or trailer that has a transition
piece that moves about a tube of a ramp. More specifically, the
present invention is related to an apparatus for wheeling a vehicle
onto a truck or trailer that has a transition piece that moves
about a tube of a ramp by a top portion of the piece pivoting about
the tube and a bottom portion which is arched and extends from the
top portion to ground when the ramp is mounted by a mounting
portion to the truck or trailer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many different types of truck and trailer ramps exist in the
market. Most of these ramps have little or no bottom transition
from the bottom of the ramp to the ground. When pushing an ATV or
garden tractor up the ramp, the user must exert enough force to get
over this bump. A fixed straight piece of metal secured to the
bottom of the ramp is a common solution for these applications. The
fixed piece does not allow for different truck and trailer heights.
The proposed pivoting foot is designed for a smoother transition
from the ground to the ramp that can be used for virtually any
truck or trailer height.
[0004] Most ramps have no transition on the bottom; the side rails
rest on the ground. Some truck ramps have a fixed "L" shaped piece
welded to the bottom of the ramp. This piece lessens the gap
between the top surface of the ramp and the ground.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention pertains to an apparatus for wheeling
a vehicle onto a truck or trailer. The apparatus comprises a ramp.
The apparatus comprises a mounting portion attached to the ramp
that mounts to the truck or trailer. The apparatus comprises a
transition piece that pivotally attaches to the ramp and contacts
ground when the mounting portion is mounted to the truck or
trailer.
[0006] The present invention pertains to a method for placing a
vehicle onto a truck or trailer. The method comprises the steps of
attaching a mounting portion of a ramp to the truck or trailer.
There is the step of moving a transition piece attached to the ramp
so the transition piece contacts ground. There is the step of
wheeling the vehicle across the transition piece, up the ramp and
onto the truck or trailer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0007] In the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of
the invention and preferred methods of practicing the invention are
illustrated in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective overhead view of an apparatus of the
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective underside view of the lower portion
of the apparatus.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the lower portion of the
apparatus.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of the upper portion of the apparatus
mounted onto a truck or trailer.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of the lower portion.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective overhead view of another embodiment
of the apparatus.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective overhead view of another embodiment
of the apparatus which folds.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective overhead view of another embodiment
of the apparatus which folds.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective overhead view of another embodiment
of the apparatus.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective overhead view of another embodiment
of the apparatus which folds.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective overhead view of a vehicle being
wheeled onto a truck.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout the several
views, and more specifically to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown an
apparatus 70 for wheeling a vehicle onto a truck or trailer. The
apparatus 70 comprises a ramp 1. The apparatus 70 comprises a
mounting portion 72 attached to the ramp 1 that mounts to the truck
or trailer. The apparatus 70 comprises a transition piece 7 that
pivotally attaches to the ramp 1 and contacts ground 13 when the
mounting portion 72 is mounted to the truck or trailer.
[0020] Preferably, the ramp 1 includes a pivot member 11 about
which the transition piece 7 pivots, as shown in FIG. 2. The
transition piece 7 is preferably curved. Preferably, the transition
piece 7 includes a top portion 74 which is positioned about the
tube to pivot about the tube, as shown in FIG. 3. The transition
piece 7 preferably includes a bottom portion 76 which is arched and
extends from the top portion 74 to ground 13.
[0021] Preferably, the ramp 1 includes a right side rail 5 and a
left side rail 6. The ramp 1 preferably includes cross braces 8, as
shown in FIG. 6. Preferably, the ramp 1 is arched. The ramp 1
preferably folds, as shown in FIG. 8. Preferably, the ramp 1
supports a load of at least 150 lbs. The ramp 1 preferably supports
a load of at least 500 lbs. Preferably, the ramp 1 supports a load
of at least 1000 lbs. Preferably, the mounting portion 72 includes
fingers.
[0022] The present invention pertains to a method for placing a
vehicle onto a truck or trailer. The method comprises the steps of
attaching a mounting portion 72 of a ramp 1 to the truck or
trailer. There is the step of moving a transition piece 7 attached
to the ramp 1 so the transition piece 7 contacts ground 13. There
is the step of wheeling the vehicle across the transition piece 7,
up the ramp 1 and onto the truck or trailer.
[0023] Preferably, the moving step includes the step of pivoting
the transition piece 7 about a pivot member 11 of the ramp 1. The
wheeling step preferably includes the step of wheeling the vehicle
across the transition piece 7 which is curved. Preferably, the
pivoting step includes the step of rotating a top portion 74 of the
transition piece 7 about the tube. The rotating step preferably
includes the step of rotating the top portion 74 about the tube and
a bottom portion 76 which is arched and extends from the top
portion 74 to ground 13.
[0024] Preferably, the ramp 1 includes a right side rail 5 and a
left side rail 6. The ramp 1 preferably includes cross braces 8.
Preferably, the ramp 1 is arched. There is preferably the step of
folding the ramp 1.
[0025] Preferably, the wheeling step includes the step of wheeling
the vehicle which weighs at least 150 lbs. across the transition
piece 7, up the ramp 1 and onto the truck or trailer. The wheeling
step preferably includes the step of wheeling the vehicle which
weighs at least 500 lbs. across the transition piece 7, up the ramp
1 and onto the truck or trailer. Preferably, the wheeling step
includes the step of wheeling the vehicle which weighs at least
1000 lbs. across the transition piece 7, up the ramp 1 and onto the
truck or trailer.
[0026] The ramp 1. as shown in FIG. 1, has a right side rail 5 and
left side rail 6. Cross braces 8, as shown in FIG. 2, connect the
two rails 5 and 6. Fingers 3 and 4 are connected to the respective
side rails 5 and 6. The fingers 3 and 4 engage the loading surface
12, as shown in FIG. 4. End guards 9 and 10 cap off the open ends
of the ramp 1 so dirt and other material does not get lodged in the
side rails 5 and 6. Decking 2 fastened to the top surface of the
side rails 5 and 6 completes the basic structure of the ramp 1.
[0027] The bottom transition piece 7 is shown in FIG. 2. The
transition piece 7 rotates about the pivot member 11 which is
connected to both side rails 5 and 6. The pivot member 11 allows
the transition piece 7 to move freely, as shown in FIG. 3. Once the
ramp 1 is set up on the loading surface 12, as shown in FIG. 4, the
bottom transition piece 7 can rotate into place resting on the
ground 13, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0028] Ramp 14, as shown in FIG. 6, is another ramp design with a
bottom pivoting transition piece 7. This ramp 14 has a left rail 6
and a right rail 5 along with a right center rail 15 and a left
center rail 16. Cross braces 8 connect the two rails 5 and 6. Cross
treads 17 are positioned along the top surface for traction. This
ramp also has a right finger 4 and left finger 3 to engage the
loading surface.
[0029] Ramp 18, as shown in FIG. 7, is a folding ramp with solid
decking 19 and 20 with the bottom pivoting transition piece 7. The
ramp has a right rail 5 and a left rail 6 and a right finger 4 and
left finger 3 for engaging the loading surface. The right hinge 22
and left hinge 21 allow the ramp to he folded for storage.
[0030] Ramp 23, as shown in FIG. 8, is a folding arched ramp. The
ramp has a right rail 5 and a left rail 6 along with a right center
rail 15 and a left center rail 16. Cross braces 8 connect the two
rails 15 and 16. Treads 17 along the top of the ramp 23 provide
traction. The ramp 23 has a pivot member 11 which allows the bottom
transition piece 7 to rotate. The right hinge 22 and left hinge 21
allow the ramp to be folded for storage. The ramp also has a right
linger 4 and left finger 3 to engage the loading surface.
[0031] Ramp 24, as shown in FIG. 9, is an arched ramp. The ramp has
a right rail 5 and a left rail 6. Cross braces 8 connect the right
5 and left 6 rails together. The ramp 24 has a pivot member 11
which the bottom transition piece 7 rotates. The ramp also has a
right finger 4 and left finger 3 to engage the loading surface.
[0032] Ramp 25, as shown in FIG. 10, is another folding arched ramp
design. This ramp 25 has a right rail 5 and a left rail 6. The
traction surface of the ramp is comprised of a top mesh decking 27
and a bottom mesh decking 26. The right hinge 22 and left hinge 21
allow the ramp 25 to be folding for transportation and storage. The
ramp 25 has a pivot member 11 which the bottom transition piece 7
rotates. The ramp also has a right finger 4 and left linger 3 to
engage the loading surface.
[0033] Although the invention has been described in detail in the
foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be
understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that
variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it
may be described by the following claims.
* * * * *