Bridges – Gangway – ramp – or dock leveler
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2001-02-13
Lillis, Eileen D. (Department: 3673)
Bridges
Gangway, ramp, or dock leveler
C414S537000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185775
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a portable ramp for providing a bridge between surfaces of different elevations such as a ground level surface and a raised surface. Devices of this basic type have been commonly used for transport of heavy or wheeled objects from one level to another. One such device is disclosed in the patent granted to Edward Smith (U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,999). Here a ramp having a plurality of plates is disclosed. A lower plate section contacts the ground on one end and is jointedly connected to an upper plate section. A separate support rail extends between the plate sections. Other devices, such as the wagon-skid of U.S. Pat. No. 1,261,967, contemplate the addition of conveyor means to the ramp.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved utility ramp which is portable, lightweight, and more importantly, provides a unitary construction which is durable and reliable. The present invention further provides an improved foot portion which engages the ground surface with serrations on a curved surface. This improved foot portion grippingly engages the ground over a wide range of raised heights, thus increasing the usefulness of a ramp of this type.
Further, the present ramp includes a tongue portion or receptacle which is adapted to be received and engaged by the raised surface. The traction plate includes oppositely disposed, downwardly formed, substantially coextensive apron portions. Each of these apron portions further defines a substantially coextensive, generally U-shaped channel. The U-shaped channel is formed by a base portion having a pair of bifurcated leg portions extending therefrom. Each of the bifurcated legs further includes an arcuate portion whereupon a plurality of serrations is formed.
As discussed above, the serrations engage the ground surface at any point in the arcuate surface touching the ground. In this manner the serrations engage the ground at any of a variety of heights. That is, as the height between the ground surface and the raised surface increases, the arcuate portion rotates to maximize the area engaging the ground surface.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a utility ramp having unitary construction of the receptacle, plate and foot members. It is a further object to provide a ramp that has a foot member capable of gripingly engaging the ground level surface at substantially any angle relative to the raised surface. It is an object of the present invention to provide a ramp having a tongue section or receptacle capable of frictionally engaging with the raised surface. It is yet a further object to provide a utility ramp that is facilely connected to and disconnected from the raised surface. These and other objects will be apparent in the descriptions that follow.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5645394 (1997-07-01), Hays
patent: 5671496 (1997-09-01), Smith
patent: 5768733 (1998-06-01), Kneebone
patent: 5938397 (1999-08-01), Schouest
patent: 5954382 (1999-09-01), Combs
patent: 5971465 (1999-10-01), Ives et al.
patent: 4234592 (1993-09-01), None
patent: 978882 (1964-12-01), None
Catalog page—Handsome Rewards (19465 Brennan Avenue, Perris, CA 92599) Year of catalog and page number unavailable.
PENCO Safety Type Bridge Ramps, Aug. 1948.
Hartmann Gary S.
Lillis Eileen D.
Metko, Inc.
Ryan Kromholz & Manion S.C.
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