Ramp and method of construction
View Patent ↗A ramp constructed of an expanded plastic foam parallelepiped core encased in a thick coating of polyurea provides a lightweight, stable ramp suitable for vehicle servicing. A low angle, long length ramp of a low weight is provided. Heavy duty versions have on edge panels embedded in the core.
1. A ramp comprising a core comprised of a parallelepiped substantially solid block of low density plastic foam with a front face at an entry end sloping from a bottom side to a substantially horizontal top surface; and
a polyurea coating applied over the core to encase said core therein and substantially strengthen said core as well as providing a durable ramp surface.
2. The ramp according to claim 1 wherein said polyurea coating has a thickness on the order of 35-65 mils.
3. The ramp according to claim 1 wherein said low density plastic foam core is constructed of expanded polystyrene foam.
4. The ramp according to claim 1 wherein said polyurea coating has a top coat of polyurea applied thereto.
5. The ramp according to claim 1 wherein said core has a panel extending on edge between said top face and said bottom side embedded within said plastic foam block.
6. The ramp according to claim 5 wherein said core has a plurality of on edge sheets of spaced panels embedded in said low density plastic foam block.
7. The ramp according to claim 6 1 wherein a plastic, cardboard or plywood panel covers each side a surface of said core.
8. The ramp according to claim 1 wherein said sloping front face is at an angle on the order of 10° from the bottom side.
9. The ramp according to claim 8 wherein said ramp is of a length ranging from about 5 feet to 6 feet.
10. The ramp according to claim 3 wherein said expanded polystyrene foam core is of a density ranging from 1 to 6 pounds per cubic foot.
11. A ramp comprising:
a core comprising a substantially solid block of low density polymer foam with a front face at an entry end sloping from a bottom side to a position adjacent a substantially horizontal surface; and
a polyurea coating applied over the core to encase said core therein and substantially strengthen said core as well as providing a durable ramp surface.
12. The ramp according to claim 11 , wherein said polyurea coating has a thickness on the order of 25 - 65 mils.
13. The ramp according to claim 11 , wherein said low density plastic foam core is constructed of expanded polystyrene foam.
14. The ramp according to claim 11 , wherein said polyurea coating has a top coat of polyurea applied thereto.
15. The ramp according to claim 11 , wherein said core has a panel extending on edge between said top face and said bottom side embedded within said plastic foam block.
16. The ramp according to claim 15 , wherein said core has a plurality of spaced panels embedded in said low density plastic foam block.
17. The ramp according to claim 11 , wherein a plastic, cardboard or plywood panel covers a surface of said core.
18. The ramp according to claim 11 , wherein said sloping front face is at an angle on the order of 10 ° from the bottom side.
19. The ramp according to claim 18 , wherein said ramp is of a length ranging from about 5 feet to 6 feet.
20. The ramp according to claim 13 , wherein said expanded polystyrene foam core is of a density ranging from 1 to 6 pounds per cubic foot.
21. A composite structure for supporting a vehicle comprising:
a core comprising a substantially solid block of low density plastic foam;
at least one reinforcing panel reinforcing said core; and
a polyurea coating applied over the core and reinforcing panel to encase said core and reinforcing panel therein and substantially strengthen said core as well as providing a durable surface.
22. The composite structure according to claim 21 , wherein said polyurea coating has a thickness on the order of 25 - 65 mils.
23. The composite structure according to claim 21 , wherein said low density plastic foam core is constructed of expanded polystyrene foam.
24. The composite structure according to claim 21 , wherein said polyurea coating has a top coat of polyurea applied thereto.
25. The composite structure according to claim 21 , wherein said reinforcing panel extends on edge between a top face and a bottom side embedded within said plastic foam block.
26. The composite structure according to claim 25 , wherein said core has a plurality of spaced panels embedded in said low density plastic foam block.
27. The composite structure according to claim 21 , wherein said reinforcing panel is a plastic, cardboard or plywood panel covering at least one surface of said core.
28. The composite structure according to claim 21 , wherein said composite structure includes a front face at an entry end sloping at an angle on the order of 10 ° from a bottom side to a substantially horizontal top surface.
29. The composite structure according to claim 28 , wherein said front face is of a length ranging from about 5 feet to 6 feet.
30. The composite structure according to claim 23 , wherein said expanded polystyrene foam core is of a density ranging from 1 to 6 pounds per cubic foot.
31. A composite structure for supporting a vehicle comprising:
a core comprising a substantially solid block of low density plastic foam;
at least one support surface on said core configured and arranged to receive and support a vehicle wheel; and
a polyurea coating applied over the core to encase said core therein and substantially strengthen said core as well as providing a durable surface.
32. The composite structure according to claim 31 , wherein said polyurea coating has a thickness on the order of 25 - 65 mils.
33. The composite structure according to claim 31 , wherein said low density plastic foam core is constructed of expanded polystyrene foam.