Abstract of
CA 2590765 (A1)
A ramp formable into a roll includes a plurality of segments, each of the segments having a pair of structural members and a load support that extends between the structural members. A male connector is positioned at a male end and a female connector is positioned at a female end of each of the structural members. Segment connecting links are provided having spaced pivot pins. One of the pivot pins is pivotally connected to a pivot pin aperture at the male end of the structural members and another of the pivot pins is pivotally secured to a pivot pin aperture at the female end of the structural members. The segmen ts pivot between an operative position in which the male connector and the female connector a re engaged and a stored position in which the segments are formed into a roll.
1. A ramp formable into a roll, comprising: a plurality of segments, each segment having a pair of structural members and a load support that extends between the structural members, each of the structural members having a male end, a female end, opposed faces, a first edge and a second edge; a male connector at the male end; a pivot pin aperture in the male end along the first edge; a female connector at the female end; a pivot pin aperture in the female end along the first edge; segment connecting links having spaced pivot pins, one of the pivot pins being pivotally connected to the pivot pin aperture at the male end of the structural members and another of the pivot pins being pivotally secured to the pivot pin aperture at the female end of the structural members, such that the segments pivot between an operative position in which the male connector and the female connector are engaged and a stored position in which the segments are formed into a roll.
2. The ramp of Claim 1, wherein the male connector and the female connectors are end profiles.
3. The ramp of Claim 2, wherein the male connector profile is wedge shaped with outwardly sloping engagement surfaces and the female connector profile is V shaped with inwardly sloping engagement surfaces.
4. The ramp of Claim 1, wherein there is a curved transition surface where the first edge meets the male end, the curved transition surface having a radius from the pivot pin aperture at the male end and there is a curved transition surface where the first edge meets the female end, the curved transition surface having a radius from the pivot pin aperture at the female end.
5. The ramp of Claim 1, wherein there is a flat pivotal stop surface at the male end along the second edge and a flat pivotal stop surface at the female end along the second edge, the pivotal stop surfaces engaging when the segments are in the operative position.
6. A ramp formable into a roll, comprising: a plurality of segments, each segment having a pair of structural members and a load support that extends between the structural members, each of the structural members having a male end, a female end, opposed faces, a first edge and a second edge; an integrally formed male connector profile at the male end, the male connector profile being wedge shaped with outwardly sloping engagement surfaces; a pivot pin aperture in the male end along the first edge; a curved transition surface where the first edge meets the male end, the curved transition surface having a radius from the pivot pin aperture at the male end; a flat pivotal stop surface at the male end along the second edge; an integrally formed female connector profile at the female end, and the female connector profile being V shaped with inwardly sloping engagement surfaces; a pivot pin aperture in the female end along the first edge; a curved transition surface where the first edge meets the female end, the curved transition surface having a radius from the pivot pin aperture at the female end; a flat pivotal stop surface at the female end along the second edge; segment connecting links having spaced pivot pins, one of the pivot pins being pivotally connected to the pivot pin aperture at the male end of the structural members and another of the pivot pins being pivotally secured to the pivot pin aperture at the female end of the structural members, such that the segments pivot between an operative position in which the male connector profile and the female connector profile are engaged and a stored position in which the segments are formed into a roll.
