CA2404282A1 - Variable inertia launch ramp - Google Patents
Variable inertia launch ramp Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2404282A1 CA2404282A1 CA002404282A CA2404282A CA2404282A1 CA 2404282 A1 CA2404282 A1 CA 2404282A1 CA 002404282 A CA002404282 A CA 002404282A CA 2404282 A CA2404282 A CA 2404282A CA 2404282 A1 CA2404282 A1 CA 2404282A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ramp
- legs
- ramp defined
- wall
- launch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C19/00—Design or layout of playing courts, rinks, bowling greens or areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor
- A63C19/10—Ice-skating or roller-skating rinks; Slopes or trails for skiing, ski-jumping or tobogganing
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
- Ladders (AREA)
Abstract
A launch ramp includes a hollow body having first and second ends and upper and lower walls which converge to a relatively sharp edge at the first end of the body.
Support legs are mounted to the body adjacent to the second end thereof, the legs being extendable an appreciable distance from of the bottom wall so that when the edge and the legs rest on a horizontal surface, the top wall is inclined at an appreciable angle relative to that surface. The hollow body defines a fluid-tight chamber which may be filled with a fluid substance to change the weight, inertial characteristic and stiffness of the ramp body.
Support legs are mounted to the body adjacent to the second end thereof, the legs being extendable an appreciable distance from of the bottom wall so that when the edge and the legs rest on a horizontal surface, the top wall is inclined at an appreciable angle relative to that surface. The hollow body defines a fluid-tight chamber which may be filled with a fluid substance to change the weight, inertial characteristic and stiffness of the ramp body.
Description
VARIABLE INERTIA LAUNCH RAMP
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to launch ramps for use by bikers, skateboarders and rol-lerbladers. It relates especially to a launch ramp which is foldable so that it is portable and which has a variable inertia characteristic.
A launch ramp is a rigid inclined structure which when approached by bikers, skateboarders and rollerbladers can launch those individuals into the air so that they can perform various acrobatic feats before dropping back to the ground. The prior ramps of this type are invariably relatively bulky because the upper end of the ramp must have ~o appreciable elevation in order to be able to launch the riders into the air. Consequently, the prior ramps occupy relatively large amounts of shipping and storage space.
Fur thermore, it is not particularly easy to move them from place to place.
Additionally, conventional launch ramps of this general type tend to slide along the ground when engaged by the wheels of the moving bike or skateboard. If the ramp is is situated on the ground, such sliding can be minimized by anchoring the ramp to the ground by driving nails or pegs through the edges of the ramp into the ground.
How-ever, that solution to the sliding problem is not feasible when the ramp is situated on a paved street or sidewalk.
Also, the launching characteristics of conventional ramps are fixed and deter-zo mined by the shape and flexibility of the ramp. Therefore, while a given ramp might be suitable for launching a skate~arder of a given weight, it may not effectively launch a heavier person on a bicycle. It would be desirable, therefore, to be able to provide a launch ramp whose launch characteristics can be changed to some extent to suit the particular user.
zs SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved launch ramp for bikers, rollerbladers and skateboarders.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to launch ramps for use by bikers, skateboarders and rol-lerbladers. It relates especially to a launch ramp which is foldable so that it is portable and which has a variable inertia characteristic.
A launch ramp is a rigid inclined structure which when approached by bikers, skateboarders and rollerbladers can launch those individuals into the air so that they can perform various acrobatic feats before dropping back to the ground. The prior ramps of this type are invariably relatively bulky because the upper end of the ramp must have ~o appreciable elevation in order to be able to launch the riders into the air. Consequently, the prior ramps occupy relatively large amounts of shipping and storage space.
Fur thermore, it is not particularly easy to move them from place to place.
Additionally, conventional launch ramps of this general type tend to slide along the ground when engaged by the wheels of the moving bike or skateboard. If the ramp is is situated on the ground, such sliding can be minimized by anchoring the ramp to the ground by driving nails or pegs through the edges of the ramp into the ground.
How-ever, that solution to the sliding problem is not feasible when the ramp is situated on a paved street or sidewalk.
Also, the launching characteristics of conventional ramps are fixed and deter-zo mined by the shape and flexibility of the ramp. Therefore, while a given ramp might be suitable for launching a skate~arder of a given weight, it may not effectively launch a heavier person on a bicycle. It would be desirable, therefore, to be able to provide a launch ramp whose launch characteristics can be changed to some extent to suit the particular user.
zs SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved launch ramp for bikers, rollerbladers and skateboarders.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a launch ramp which is fold-able so that it can be carried abaut readily from place to place.
A further object of the invention is to provide a launch ramp of this general type which can be shipped and stored in a minimum amount of space.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a launch ramp whose weight can be varied.
A further object of the invention is to provide a launch ramp which resists slid-ing along the ground when in use.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a launch ramp whose inertial io characteristic may be changed to suit a particular application and user.
Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, appear hereinafter.
'The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the following de-tailed description, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
is In general, the launch ramp comprises a double walled ramp body having a hollow interior that constitutes a fluid-tight chamber. The front of the body tapers to a relatively sharp edge while the apposite or rear end of the body is relatively thick and is supported above the ground by a leg structure which, when the ramp is not in use, may be folded against the underside of the ramp body. In that folded condition, the ramp Zo can be shipped and stored in a minimum amount of space and may be carried about easily from place to place. As we shall see, a special handgrip is built into the ramp body to facilitate carrying the folded ramp.
It is a feature of the invention that a fill opening is provided in a wall of the ramp body so that the hollow interior of the body can be filled with a fluid substance Zs such as sand or water to vary the weight of the ramp and thus its inertial as well as its flexing characteristics. By varying the amount and type of fill in the ramp body, the sliding and launching characteristics of the ramp may be varied to suit the particular surface on which the ramp is placed and the particular person using the ramp, e.g. a relatively light weight rollerblader versus a larger, heavier biker.
A further object of the invention is to provide a launch ramp of this general type which can be shipped and stored in a minimum amount of space.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a launch ramp whose weight can be varied.
A further object of the invention is to provide a launch ramp which resists slid-ing along the ground when in use.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a launch ramp whose inertial io characteristic may be changed to suit a particular application and user.
Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, appear hereinafter.
'The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the following de-tailed description, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
is In general, the launch ramp comprises a double walled ramp body having a hollow interior that constitutes a fluid-tight chamber. The front of the body tapers to a relatively sharp edge while the apposite or rear end of the body is relatively thick and is supported above the ground by a leg structure which, when the ramp is not in use, may be folded against the underside of the ramp body. In that folded condition, the ramp Zo can be shipped and stored in a minimum amount of space and may be carried about easily from place to place. As we shall see, a special handgrip is built into the ramp body to facilitate carrying the folded ramp.
It is a feature of the invention that a fill opening is provided in a wall of the ramp body so that the hollow interior of the body can be filled with a fluid substance Zs such as sand or water to vary the weight of the ramp and thus its inertial as well as its flexing characteristics. By varying the amount and type of fill in the ramp body, the sliding and launching characteristics of the ramp may be varied to suit the particular surface on which the ramp is placed and the particular person using the ramp, e.g. a relatively light weight rollerblader versus a larger, heavier biker.
As we shall see, the ramp is relatively inexpensive to make in quantity and it is relatively easy to assembly by the ultimate purchaser. Therefore, it should prove to be a highly marketable play item.
s BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the ac-companied drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a launch ramp incorporating the invention ~o showing the launch ramp ready for use by skateboarders, bikers or rollerbladers;
FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view with parts broken away thereof, and FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view showing the launch ramp in its folded condition, when stored and carried about.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
is EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. l and 2 of the drawings, the subject launch ramp comprises a ramp body shown generally at 10 supported at one end by a foldable leg structure indi-Gated at 12. Body 10 has a gently curved, i.e. concave, upper wall 10a, a lower wall l Ob, a pair of mirror image side walls I Oc, 1 Oc, and rear end wall l Od.
Walls 10a and Zo l Ob are relatively far apart at the upper or rear end of body 10 and they converge to-ward the front of the body where the two walls meet at a relatively sharp leading edge 14 adapted to rest next to the ground. Preferably, the lower wall l Ob is flattened or ta-pered adjacent to edge 14 so that is forms a substantially horizontal surface 15 which can rest flat on the ground or other support surface. Preferably, that surface 15 is Zs treated so as to increase its coefficient of friction. For example, surface 15 may be knurled or covered with rubber or other non-slip material.
Preferably also, the lower wall l Ob of body 10 is formed with a plurality of lat-erally spaced apart ribs 16 which extend between the ends of body 10 and serve to stiffen the body. Also formed in lower wall l Ob adjacent to rear wall l Od is a recessed handgrip 18 (FIG. 3) which facilitates carrying the folded ramp from place to place.
As shown in FIG. 2, the walls 10a to l Od of body 10 define a fluid-tight interior compartment or chamber 20. This chamber may be accessed by way of a fill opening s 22 in one of the body walls, e.g., rear wall 10d, so that the chamber 20 can be filled with a fluid substance such as water W as shown in FIG. 2 or with particulate material such as sand. Fill opening 22 may be closed by a fill cap or plug 24.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the foldable leg structure 12 is formed by a gener-ally U-shaped tube or rod 32 having a pair of legs 32a, 32a connected at corresponding ~o ends by a bridging portion 32b. Preferably the free ends of legs 32a, 32a are covered by non-slip plastic or rubber feet 34. As best seen in FIG. 3, the bridging portion 32b of tube 32 is recessed into a transverse channel 36 in the lower wall l Ob of the ramp body 10 near wall l Od and rotatably retained there by a pair of plates or brackets 38, 38 secured by suitable fasteners 42 to the lower wall l Ob just inboard from tube legs 32a, is 32a. Thus, legs 32a, 32a are able to be swung between an extended or open position shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the free ends of the legs extend apprecia-bly below ramp body 10 and a folded position illustrated phantom in FIG. 1 and in FIG.
3 wherein the legs 32a, 32a are folded flat against the wall l Ob of body 10.
The extended or open position of the legs as shown in FIG. 1 is established by zo the engagement of the upper end segments of legs 32a, 32a against stopping surfaces 46 formed in lower wall lOb just outboard from plates 38. As shown in FIG. 3, the sur-faces 46, 46 are aligned with legs 32a, 32a so that when those legs are swung to their extended position shown in FIG. 1, the legs engage surfaces 46, 46. Preferably as shown in FIG. 1, the legs 32a, 32a are bent to form knees 32c just below body 10 so is that a downward force on body 10 tends to urge the legs against surfaces 46, 46 adding stability to the ramp.
Preferably the ramp body 10 is blow molded of a strong, impact resistant, weather resistant plastic material such as polyethylene. A typical ramp may be inches wide, 37 inches long and 12 inches high when legs 32a, 32a are extended as in 3o FIG. 1, and 4 inches high when the legs are folded as shown in FIG. 3.
Typically the foldable leg structure 12 is of steel.
s BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the ac-companied drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a launch ramp incorporating the invention ~o showing the launch ramp ready for use by skateboarders, bikers or rollerbladers;
FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view with parts broken away thereof, and FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view showing the launch ramp in its folded condition, when stored and carried about.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
is EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. l and 2 of the drawings, the subject launch ramp comprises a ramp body shown generally at 10 supported at one end by a foldable leg structure indi-Gated at 12. Body 10 has a gently curved, i.e. concave, upper wall 10a, a lower wall l Ob, a pair of mirror image side walls I Oc, 1 Oc, and rear end wall l Od.
Walls 10a and Zo l Ob are relatively far apart at the upper or rear end of body 10 and they converge to-ward the front of the body where the two walls meet at a relatively sharp leading edge 14 adapted to rest next to the ground. Preferably, the lower wall l Ob is flattened or ta-pered adjacent to edge 14 so that is forms a substantially horizontal surface 15 which can rest flat on the ground or other support surface. Preferably, that surface 15 is Zs treated so as to increase its coefficient of friction. For example, surface 15 may be knurled or covered with rubber or other non-slip material.
Preferably also, the lower wall l Ob of body 10 is formed with a plurality of lat-erally spaced apart ribs 16 which extend between the ends of body 10 and serve to stiffen the body. Also formed in lower wall l Ob adjacent to rear wall l Od is a recessed handgrip 18 (FIG. 3) which facilitates carrying the folded ramp from place to place.
As shown in FIG. 2, the walls 10a to l Od of body 10 define a fluid-tight interior compartment or chamber 20. This chamber may be accessed by way of a fill opening s 22 in one of the body walls, e.g., rear wall 10d, so that the chamber 20 can be filled with a fluid substance such as water W as shown in FIG. 2 or with particulate material such as sand. Fill opening 22 may be closed by a fill cap or plug 24.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the foldable leg structure 12 is formed by a gener-ally U-shaped tube or rod 32 having a pair of legs 32a, 32a connected at corresponding ~o ends by a bridging portion 32b. Preferably the free ends of legs 32a, 32a are covered by non-slip plastic or rubber feet 34. As best seen in FIG. 3, the bridging portion 32b of tube 32 is recessed into a transverse channel 36 in the lower wall l Ob of the ramp body 10 near wall l Od and rotatably retained there by a pair of plates or brackets 38, 38 secured by suitable fasteners 42 to the lower wall l Ob just inboard from tube legs 32a, is 32a. Thus, legs 32a, 32a are able to be swung between an extended or open position shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the free ends of the legs extend apprecia-bly below ramp body 10 and a folded position illustrated phantom in FIG. 1 and in FIG.
3 wherein the legs 32a, 32a are folded flat against the wall l Ob of body 10.
The extended or open position of the legs as shown in FIG. 1 is established by zo the engagement of the upper end segments of legs 32a, 32a against stopping surfaces 46 formed in lower wall lOb just outboard from plates 38. As shown in FIG. 3, the sur-faces 46, 46 are aligned with legs 32a, 32a so that when those legs are swung to their extended position shown in FIG. 1, the legs engage surfaces 46, 46. Preferably as shown in FIG. 1, the legs 32a, 32a are bent to form knees 32c just below body 10 so is that a downward force on body 10 tends to urge the legs against surfaces 46, 46 adding stability to the ramp.
Preferably the ramp body 10 is blow molded of a strong, impact resistant, weather resistant plastic material such as polyethylene. A typical ramp may be inches wide, 37 inches long and 12 inches high when legs 32a, 32a are extended as in 3o FIG. 1, and 4 inches high when the legs are folded as shown in FIG. 3.
Typically the foldable leg structure 12 is of steel.
When the launch ramp is being carried about using handgrip 18 or when stowed away, the chamber 20 may be empty of contents and the leg structure may be in its folded condition as in FIG. 3. When it is time to use the ramp, it may be placed on the ground as shown in FIG. 1 and the body 10 filled with a fluid such as water or sand to increase its weight and thereby adjust the inertia of the launch ramp as a whole. The filling of body 10 also changes the stiffness of the body to some extent and thus enables one to alter the launch characteristics of the ramp to suit a particular application or user.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained. Also, since certain changes may io be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompa-nying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention described herein.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained. Also, since certain changes may io be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompa-nying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention described herein.
Claims (11)
1. A launch ramp comprising a hollow body having first and second ends and upper and lower walls which converge to a relatively sharp edge at said first end of the body, and support means mounted to said body adjacent to the second end thereof, said support means being extendable an appreciable distance from of said lower wall so that when said edge and said support means rest on a horizontal surface, said upper wall is inclined at an appreciable angle relative to said surface.
2. The ramp defined in claim 1 wherein said hollow body has additional walls extending between said upper and lower walls so as to define a fluid-tight chamber in said body;
an opening through one of said walls into said chamber, and closure means for said opening.
an opening through one of said walls into said chamber, and closure means for said opening.
3. The ramp defined in claim 2 and further including a fluid substance at least par-tially filling said chamber so as to increase the weight of said body.
4. The ramp defined in claim 3 wherein said fluid substance is a liquid.
5. The ramp defined in claim 3 wherein said fluid substance is particulate material.
6. The ramp defined in claim 3 and further including means defining a handgrip in said lower wall adjacent to an end of the body.
7. The ramp defined in claim 1 wherein said upper wall, in profile, has concave curvature.
8. The ramp defined in claim 7 wherein said lower wall has stiffening ribs ex-tending between said body ends.
9. The ramp defined in claim 1 wherein said support means comprise a pair of parallel legs, and means for movably mounting said legs to said bottom wall so that said legs can be moved between a folded position wherein the legs are nested against and extend generally parallel to said bottom wall and an extended position wherein said legs ex-tend out at a substantial angle to said bottom wall.
10. The ramp defined in claim 9 wherein the mounting means include means which, when the legs are in their extended position, cause said legs to protrude at an obtuse angle from the bottom wall.
11. The ramp defined in claim 10 wherein said legs are bent to form knees therea-long which point away from said edge.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10/059,611 | 2002-01-29 | ||
| US10/059,611 US20030140433A1 (en) | 2002-01-29 | 2002-01-29 | Variable inertia launch ramp |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2404282A1 true CA2404282A1 (en) | 2003-07-29 |
Family
ID=27609849
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002404282A Abandoned CA2404282A1 (en) | 2002-01-29 | 2002-09-17 | Variable inertia launch ramp |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20030140433A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2404282A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7690964B2 (en) | 2006-05-04 | 2010-04-06 | Mattel, Inc. | Toy ramp devices |
| US20110021110A1 (en) * | 2009-07-23 | 2011-01-27 | Keith Hippely | Ramp for a toy vehicle |
| US20170253164A1 (en) * | 2016-03-04 | 2017-09-07 | Caliber, Inc. | Ramp device for loading and unloading vehicles |
| US11585096B2 (en) | 2019-03-26 | 2023-02-21 | Vermont Juvenile Furniture Mfg., Inc. | Ultra-light freestanding pet ramp |
| USD910938S1 (en) | 2019-03-26 | 2021-02-16 | Vermont Juvenile Furniture Mfg., Inc. | Pet ramp |
-
2002
- 2002-01-29 US US10/059,611 patent/US20030140433A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-09-17 CA CA002404282A patent/CA2404282A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20030140433A1 (en) | 2003-07-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |