Ramp Bottom Transition Foot
An apparatus for wheeling a vehicle onto a truck or trailer includes a ramp. The apparatus includes a mounting portion attached to the ramp that mounts to the truck or trailer. The apparatus includes a transition piece the pivotally attaches to the ramp and contacts ground when the mounting portion is mounted to the truck or trailer. A method for placing a vehicle onto a truck or trailer includes the steps of attaching a mounting portion of a ramp to the truck or trailer. There is the step of moving a transition piece attached to the ramp so the transition piece contacts ground. There is the step of wheeling the vehicle across the transition piece, up the ramp and onto the truck or trailer.
1 - 6 . (canceled)
7 . An apparatus for wheeling a vehicle onto a truck or trailer comprising:
a ramp;
a mounting portion attached to the ramp that mounts to the truck or trailer; and
a transition piece that pivotally attaches to the ramp and contacts ground when the mounting portion is mounted to the truck or trailer.
8 . An apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein the ramp includes a pivot member about which the transition piece pivots.
9 . An apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein the transition piece is curved.
10 . An apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein the transition piece includes a top portion which is positioned about the tube to pivot about the tube.
11 . An apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein the transition piece includes a bottom portion which is arched and extends from the top portion to ground.
12 . An apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the ramp includes a right side rail and a left side rail.
13 . An apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein the ramp includes cross braces.
14 . An apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein the ramp is arched.
15 . An apparatus as described in claim 14 wherein the ramp folds.
16 . An apparatus as described in claim 15 wherein the ramp supports a load of at least 150 lbs.
17 . An apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein the ramp supports a load of at least 500 lbs.
18 . An apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein the ramp supports a load of at least 1000 lbs.
19 . An apparatus as described in claim 18 wherein the mounting portion includes fingers.
20 . A method for placing a vehicle onto a truck or trailer comprising:
attaching a mounting portion of a ramp to the truck or trailer;
moving a transition piece attached to the ramp so the transition piece contacts ground; and
wheeling the vehicle across the transition piece, up the ramp and onto the truck or trailer.
21 . A method as described in claim 20 wherein the moving step includes the step of pivoting the transition piece about a pivot member of the ramp.
22 . A method as described in claim 21 wherein the wheeling step includes the step of wheeling the vehicle across the transition piece which is curved.
23 . A method as described in claim 22 wherein the pivoting step includes the step of rotating a top portion of the transition piece about the tube.
24 . A method as described in claim 23 wherein the rotating step includes the step of rotating the top portion about the tube and a bottom portion which is arched and extends from the top portion to ground.
25 . A method as described in claim 24 wherein the ramp includes a right side rail and a left side rail.
26 . A method as described in claim 25 wherein the ramp includes cross braces.