CA2380751A1

CA2380751A1 - Vehicle leveller

Info

Publication number: CA2380751A1
Application number: CA 2380751
Authority: CA
Inventors: Melvin M. Born
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-17
Filing date: 2002-04-17
Publication date: 2003-10-17

Abstract

The vehicle leveller consists of one or more pieces of flexible material of sufficient length and width, which may or may not be tapered on either end. The base of the vehicle leveller (A
in Figures 1 and 2) are placed on the leveling surface and are thin enough to allow a vehicle or trailer to be driven on top. A
second layer of flexible material (B in Figures 1 and 2) could be fastened to (A) by mechanical or other means (E). Additional layers of flexible material (C in Figures 1 and 2) may be fastened to (B) in a similar manner as (B) to (A). The balance of the material behind the fasteners (E) are left unfastened and can be lifted and separated from one another. This allows separate, shorter pieces of flexible material (D in Figures 1 and 2) to be inserted between (A) and (B) or (B) and (C) at the unfastened end, thereby adding to the overall height of the vehicle leveller. Additional pieces of (D) can be added and placed between (A) and (B) or (B) and (C) as required. Specifications

Description

This invention relates to a multi-layered flexible apparatus used to level vehicles.
It is common when levelling vehicles to use lumber or other materials under and/or between one or more of the axles of a vehicle. These rigid materials are inefficient and hazardous because using these implements require multiple adjustments and the need for assistance from another person. Further, the materials can flip up or kick back from under the tires, potentially injuring bystanders or damaging the vehicle.
This invention provides a safe and efficient way of leveling a vehicle using a flexible material that can be set in front, behind or between one or more axles, regardless of the axle spread. There can be two or more fastened layers that are offset in order to form a stepped ramp, reducing the need for repetitive adjustment of the vehicle to attain a level placement. The flexible layers are fastened to each other at the front of each stepped area, leaving the rear sections of the flexible layers free to separate and insert one or more pieces of similar flexible material, lifting the vehicle higher as required.
The invention is flexible enough to lie on the leveling surface when the vehicle is moved forward or backward as required. The layers automatically fall into place, eliminating the need for a person to hold or adjust the levelling device, as the vehicle is being moved into position. The flexibility also ensures the invention does not flip up or kick back and cause damage to the vehicle when driving onto or off of the invention, regardless if the vehicle drives off the front or the back of the invention.
In drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a profile partly in section of one embodiment and Figure 2 is a side view of this embodiment. The leveller apparatus is comprised of one or more layers of long, narrow pieces of flexible material, which may or may not be tapered on either end.
The base of the invention (A) is placed on the levelling surface in front, behind and/or between the tires of a single or tandem axle vehicle, allowing the vehicle to be driven on top of the invention. A second layer of the flexible material (B) could be fastened to (A) by mechanical or other means (E). Additional layers of flexible material (C) may be fastened to (B) in a similar manner as (B) to (A). The balance of the material behind the fasteners (E) are left unfastened and can be lifted and separated from one another. This allows separate, shorter pieces of flexible material (D) to be inserted between (A) and (B) or (B) and (C) at the unfastened end, thereby adding to the overall height of the invention.
Additional pieces of (D) can be added and placed between (A) and (B) or (B) and (C) as required.
This invention could also be used as a traction device when a vehicle is stuck or on a slippery surface.

Claims

1. The vehicle leveller is comprised of: one or more layers of flexible material, having sufficient length, width and thickness so as to have or create a raised or stepped surface.

2. A vehicle leveller as defined in claim 1, consisting of a single piece of flexible material that is tapered on one or both ends to create a raised surface.

3. A vehicle leveller as defined in claim 2, that has a treaded surface, which may or may not be tapered at one or both ends.

4. A vehicle leveller as defined in claim 2 and claim 3, that is slotted at one end, parallel to the levelling plane, to accept additional pieces of flexible material of sufficient length, width and thickness.

5. A vehicle leveller as defined in claim 2, that has multiple stepped levelling surfaces.

6. A vehicle leveller as defined in claim 5 that is tapered at each step.

7. A vehicle leveller as defined in claim 5 and claim 6 that has treaded surfaces.

8. A vehicle leveller as defined in claims 5 to 7 that is slotted at one end, parallel to the levelling plane, to accept additional pieces of flexible material.

9. A vehicle leveller as defined in claim 1, consisting of two or more layers that are mechanically fastened together, creating multiple, stepped levelling surfaces.

10. A vehicle leveller as defined in claim 9, where the base layer is of sufficient length to fasten a second, shorter layer, creating a stepped levelling surface. Mechanical fasteners would extend through one or more holes near the front of the second layer, connecting with one or more holes in the base layer. The holes in the base layer would be set back a sufficient distance from the front so that when fastened to the second layer, two levelling surfaces would be created.

11.A vehicle leveller as defined in claim 10, where the base layer and shorter second layer are of sufficient length to mechanically fasten additional shorter layers, creating multiple, stepped levelling surfaces. One or more holes through the additional layers would accept mechanical fasteners and connect to lower layers as described in claim 10.

12. A vehicle leveller as defined in claims 9 to 11 that has tapered ends and/or treaded surfaces.

13. A vehicle leveller as defined in claims 9 to 12, where the unfastened ends of each layer receive additional pieces of flexible material.

14. A vehicle leveller, as defined in claim 1, consisting of two or more layers that are slotted and/or moulded such that they may be fastened together without a mechanical device. A
female slot or moulded receptacle on the top surface of a lower layer would receive a male slot or moulded receptacle from the bottom surface of the upper layer. The male slot or moulded receptacle would be set toward the front of the upper layer. The female slot or moulded receptacle would be set back a sufficient distance from the front of the bottom layer that when connected to the upper layer, a stepped levelling surface is created.

15. A vehicle leveller, as defined in claim 1, consisting of two or more layers that are slotted and/or moulded such that they may be fastened together without a mechanical device. A
male slot or moulded receptacle on the top surface of a lower layer would receive a female slot or moulded receptacle from the bottom surface of the upper layer. The female slot or moulded receptacle would be set toward the front of the upper layer. The male slot or moulded receptacle would be set back a sufficient distance from the front of the bottom layer that when connected to the upper layer, a stepped levelling surface is created.

16. A vehicle leveller as defined in claims 14 to 15 that has tapered ends and/or treaded surfaces.

17. A vehicle leveller as defined in claims 14 to 16, where the unfastened ends of each layer receive additional pieces of flexible material.