Pet ramp system

a technology for ramps and pets, applied in the field of pet ramp systems, can solve the problems of extending the length of a single-, affecting the use of older, heavier or disabled dogs, and affecting the torsional stability of the span, so as to improve the torsional stability and resistance, facilitate assembly and disassembly, and improve the rigidity. the effect of stiffness

US20170280672A1Active Publication Date: 2017-10-05MACNEIL IP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2017-10-05

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Abstract

A pet ramp system has a central pier and at least one ramp with an axle that is received in an axle receiver disposed near the top of the pier. The axle is disposed inwardly, in both a fore and aft direction and in a transverse direction, from a base perimeter of the pier. The pier's axle receiver(s) permit installation of the ramp axle when the ramp is in a vertical orientation, but the receiver(s) will not permit separation of the ramp from the pier when in use.
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Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In recent times attention has been paid to assisting elderly, heavier or disabled pets, particularly dogs, into motor vehicles. A van or an SUV may have a hatch sill that is 30 inches or more from the ground. A single-span pet ramp into the hatch must therefore either be placed at a steep angle, such as 30 degrees, or must be inordinately long. The steeper the ramp, the more difficulty that an older, heavier or disabled dog will have in using it in entering and exiting the vehicle. Also, extending the length of a single-span ramp produces issues relating to the load that the span can carry and to its torsional stability. A need therefore exists for pet ramp systems that are easier and safer for pets to use.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention provides a pet ramp system that has a pier and at least one ramp for articulable and removable attachment to the pier. The pier has at least one axle receiver disposed near its top. The pet ramp h...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0025]A pet ramp system, indicated generally at 100 in FIG. 1, has in this illustrated embodiment a central pier 102, a first ramp 104, and a second ramp 106. The ramp system 100 has been assembled to permit a dog D to easily walk up ramps 104, 106 and into the cargo area of a vehicle V.

[0026]As assembled, the pet ramp system 100 has an overall grade or slope that is substantially gentler than would be required by a conventional pet ramp leading up to a height 109 of a cargo area sill, surface or interior 108 of vehicle V, which often can be 30 inches or more. To attain this height, conventional pet ramps have to be disposed at slopes of as much as 30 degrees, making their ascent by an older or heavier dog D difficult. A single-span pet ramp could simply be made longer to resolve this problem, but then another one is encountered: the ramp has to be stiff enough to bear the load of dog D without much flexing and with torsional stability. These problems get worse as the total span inc...