Bridges – Gangway – ramp – or dock leveler
Reexamination Certificate
2002-11-05
2004-01-13
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Bridges
Gangway, ramp, or dock leveler
C404S002000, C404S007000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06675422
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to ramps and, more particularly, to a ramp for traversing a curb of the type having a steeply inclined planar wall between a street and a driveway.
The speed and efficiency of new street and home construction often results in a lack of curb cuts that would otherwise provide a smooth transition between a street and driveway. In other words, curbs having a steep incline are left in place even after a concrete to driveway is laid from the edge of the curb to a garage. Of course, such curb construction may also be left in place for efficient water drainage along the street. Such a steep incline between the street and driveway, however, is undesirable to anyone attempting to pull in or back out of the driveway. This curb configuration results in a very uncomfortable jolt and may even scrape or damage the undercarriage or spoiler of a low profile automobile. Although various ramp constructions have been proposed in the art, the existing devices do not provide for the smooth traversal of an inclined curb between a street and driveway.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a ramp which may be positioned at the junction between a street and an inclined wall of a curb and which has a planar inclined surface extending between the street and a driveway. Further, it is desirable to have a ramp that is durable and capable of supporting the weight of a vehicle traveling thereon. In addition, it is desirable to have a ramp that does not impede the downstream flow of water along a curb.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A ramp which allows a vehicle to traverse a curb having an inclined wall between a street and a driveway includes an elongate planar ramp surface with an elongate base member integrally connected to an underside of the ramp surface. The ramp surface includes upper and lower longitudinal edges with opposed side edges extending laterally between ends of the longitudinal edges. The base member includes end walls depending from respective side edges. The base member further includes a curb contact surface adjacent the upper edge of the ramp surface and which extends longitudinally between the end walls. The curb contact surface is configured for substantially planar contact with the inclined wall of the curb when the ramp is positioned adjacent thereto. The base member further includes a street contact surface adjacent the lower edge of the ramp surface and which extends longitudinally between the end walls. The street contact surface includes a configuration for resting in a planar relationship with a street. A support member is integrally connected to the base member and is situated in between the contact surfaces for substantially nesting at a junction between the street and inclined curb wall for supporting a load force on the ramp surface. The support member is spaced apart from the contact surfaces so as to form drainage channels therebetween.
Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a ramp for enabling a wheeled vehicle to traverse a steeply inclined wall of a curb that extends between a street and a driveway.
Another object of this invention is to provide a ramp, as aforesaid, which may be positioned adjacent a curb without impeding a downstream flow of water.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a ramp, as aforesaid, which is durable and capable of supporting the weight load of an automobile.
A further object of this invention is to provide a ramp, as aforesaid, which may include modular sections for easy movement, positioning, and storage.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a ramp, as aforesaid, which may include carbon filler for inhibiting theft thereof.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.
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Pechhold Alexandra K.
Pezzuto Robert E.
Ream Dale J.
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