A pet ramp device

Abstract

A vehicle pet (e.g. dog) ramp comprises a vehicle attachment mechanism 20 having a base 21 and a vehicle connector 28 (e.g. rear seat ISOFIX); and ramp parts having two or more incline parts 10 extend

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pet ramp device, in particular a ramp for pet animals such as dogs; more particularly but not exclusively a device to help dogs exit a vehicle’s rear door. Background In many societies many people are very attached to their pet animals. Pet animals such as dogs require exercise and many owners are liable to wish to take their dog to a nice location to exercise. As a result, and in many other circumstances also, many owners or carers of dogs will wish to take their dog in their vehicle. However the owner, carer or pet may be unwilling or unable to have the pet in the rear of the vehicle, and so they may be on the rear seat. It can be difficult for a pet to exit the rear door of a vehicle, from the rear seat, in particular when space is limited and / or the door cannot be opened fully. Prior Art US 2016 0 302 381 (ASPOSITO) discloses apparatus for providing an animal access to and from an elevated surface, which includes a landing area, an adjustable ramp connected to said landing area, and an anchor platform connected perpendicular to the landing area for supporting the landing area and adjustable ramp to the elevated surface. The apparatus particularly solves the unmet need in that it is portable, trip-free to humans, is of sufficient length to allow for gradual access for smaller, older, sick or injured pets, can be anchored by any mattress and box spring set and is free floating. The present invention optionally includes one or side walls which are removably connected to the landing platform or ramp plank. US 2008 0 302 312 (STEFFEY et al) discloses apparatus comprising: a frame supporting an upper platform member and a lower platform member; the lower platform member having a lower riser and a lower runner; and the upper platform member having an upper riser and an upper runner which are movable between a 5 ramp mode and a step mode, the upper riser: (i) fixedly supporting the upper runner against the frame when in the step mode, and (ii) being moveable from the fixedly supported position to permit the upper runner to move to the ramp mode. CH 692 465 (STETTLER) discloses a gangplank, fora dog to enter and leave the back 10 of an automobile, is composed of two rectangular boards (10a,10b) hinged or fitted together to give a ramp surface (11) leading into the rear door opening (2) of the automobile (1). When not in use, the boards are folded or stacked together. The boards have lateral ribs for stiffness, and the walking surface is coated to give a grip for the dog's paws. The sides of the boards have carrying handles. 15 Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a pet ramp device for attachment to a passenger vehicle, comprising a plurality of ramp parts, and a vehicle attachment 20 mechanism, wherein the vehicle attachment mechanism comprises a base and a vehicle connector portion, and the ramp parts comprising a corner part, and two or more incline parts, such that the incline parts extend coaxial a vehicle axis of travel and the corner part extends from the base orthogonal the vehicle axis. 25 In this way the corner part provides a right-angle turn for the ramp parts, such that an animal may simply exit the vehicle by turning on the corner part and descending the incline parts. Additionally or alternatively the incline parts extend alongside the vehicle body in use, 30 meaning that the vehicle door is not required to open as fully, and / or the animal may exit the vehicle in tighter parking spaces. In some embodiments of the device at least part of the base may be adapted to displace or extend from a first position proximal the connector portion to a second 35 position distal the connector portion. For example the base may provide a sliding part, which may provide a connection to, or a part of, the corner part. In some embodiments of the device the incline parts are hinged together. It may be envisaged that the incline parts have a raised and lowered surface or anti-slip texture or coating so as to provide reassurance to the animal in use. It may be envisaged that the incline parts hinge in one-way only, such that the device may be easily folded up, upwards, and laid out downwards, and will not buckle under weight of an animal. In some other embodiments of the device the incline parts may be coaxially or concentrically telescopic. In some embodiments of the device the vehicle attachment mechanism comprises ISOFIX connectors and a frame, wherein the ISOFIX connectors provide a sturdy and secure attachment that is easily instigated and displaced as necessary. In some such embodiments of the device the frame is arranged to provide angle adjustment to the base in relation to the vehicle connectors, so as to accommodate different styles and shapes of vehicle seat for the base. In some such embodiments of the device the ramp parts are arranged to fold onto the base, meaning that the device may be folded or retracted out of the way to solely take up space on a single vehicle seat in a storage or transport configuration. In some embodiments of the device the incline parts are arranged to fold under each other, meaning that the device may be effectively rolled up or out easily and without effort. In some embodiments of the device the corner part is arranged to fold onto the base, such that the base and corner part share a hinge or pivot extending along a first axis, and the corner part and an incline part share a hinge or pivot extending along an orthogonal second axis. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises plastic ramp parts and base. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a stainless steel vehicle attachment mechanism. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, folded out for use in a first configuration; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment o the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment o the device shown in Figure 1, in an intermediate configuration; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment o the device shown in Figure 1, in second folded configuration; Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the vehicle attachment mechanism from the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 shows an exploded isometric view of the base and ramp parts from the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 9 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the vehicle attachment mechanism from the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a pet ramp device for attachment to a passenger vehicle, generally comprising a plurality of ramp parts 25,10, and a vehicle attachment mechanism 20, wherein the vehicle attachment mechanism comprises a base 21 and a vehicle connector portion 28, and the ramp parts comprising a corner part 25, and two or more incline parts 10, such that the incline parts extend coaxial a vehicle axis of travel and the corner part extends from the base orthogonal the vehicle axis. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises 6 injection moulded parts formed in rigid plastic or polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which form the base 21, the corner part 25 and the incline parts 10. The vehicle connector 28 is formed in stainless steel or powder coated mild steel or similar, and comprises two ISOFIX connectors and a frame. The base comprises two basal struts 43 which are screwed to the bottom face of the base 21, and used to connect two brackets 26 which connect via pivots at a first end to a frame supporting the connectors, which extend from the frame at the distal second end, which frame is connected via to pivoted braces 27 at the second end to the brackets. The braces 27 are arranged to slide in the frame, whereby the frame may therefore be tilt adjustable in relation to the brackets, meaning the base 28 can be tilted towards or away from its connection to the vehicle. This allows for adjustment of positioning of the embodiment in use in relation to a vehicle’s ISOFIX anchors, according to vehicle seat angle or arrangement. The base 21 comprises elevated edges 23 and an otherwise flat panel with a first hinge 24 at one side in the elevated edges the hinge substantially coaxial the vehicle axis in use. 5 This first hinge is used to attach to the underneath of the corner part 25, which comprises a substantially flat panel turning through 90 degrees with an arcuate outer elevated edge and a second hinge 11 underneath the distal and orthogonal front side of the panel. 10 The second hinge 11 connects to underneath a first incline part 13, which comprises a flat rectangular panel with a distal end providing a third hinge 14 underneath, which third hinge connects underneath to the second incline part 15, also a rectangular rigid panel, with a fourth hinge 16 underneath connecting to a third incline part 17. 15 A fifth hinge 18 connects to underneath a fourth incline part 19, which comprises a flat rectangular panel which provides the lowest incline part in use. As shown in Figure 3, the embodiment folds into a folded storage configuration, as shown in Figure 5, by folding the corner part onto the base, and the incline parts folding 20 under each other, and folding onto the corner part. A small latch hook 12 extending from the side of the first incline part may be used to lock the ramp parts together. In this way the device may be easily and efficiently stored for transport and storage onto the vehicle seat, and easily folded out when needed for use. 25 Additionally or alternatively the hinges all allow the parts to fold upwards allowing the parts to be rolled up, and providing a robust ramp when rolled out. As shown in Figure 5 the base provides a support lip 29 extending below the corner 30 part when folded out. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Images