Shoulder Notch Ramp for Vehicle Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ramps for small vehicles are either expensive, cumbersome, or have weight-bearing limitations, posing safety risks and storage challenges, especially for personal transport and heavy items.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight and durable ramp design featuring a shoulder and notch system with high weight-bearing capacity, using extruded aluminum stiles and rungs with retention chains and extensions for secure attachment to vehicles, allowing for increased load capacity and portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional ramps with cross members and channels are used, then the ramp can be constructed with simple geometry, but the cross members apply large force onto the channel causing it to bend and cross members to disengage under heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp is divided into multiple segments including stiles, rungs, cross members, and channels that work together as a distributed structural system. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple components rather than concentrated on single points, enhancing both strength and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple structural elements (stiles, rungs, cross members, and channels) into an integrated ramp assembly where each component reinforces the others. The merging of these elements creates a unified structure with enhanced load-bearing capacity and structural stability that overcomes the limitations of simpler designs.
2Ease of operation
If electromechanical lifts are installed on vehicles, then heavy items can be loaded onto the truck bed, but the lifts are expensive and cumbersome for personal transport
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp is designed as a removable, portable component rather than a permanent vehicle installation. This allows the ramp to provide loading capability without the permanent complexity and cost of electromechanical lifts, making it suitable for personal transport vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading function is extracted from the vehicle itself and implemented as a separate, independent ramp system. This extraction allows the vehicle to maintain its original simplicity while gaining loading capability through an add-on component that can be removed when not needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If large ramps are stored vertically under the bed of the truck, then the ramps can be used for loading, but they require large storage space and cannot be used for smaller vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp is segmented into multiple components (stiles, rungs, cross members, channels) that can be stored separately or in a compact configuration. This segmentation reduces the storage volume required compared to a solid, monolithic ramp structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp components are designed to nest within each other when not in use, with smaller elements fitting within larger ones. This nesting arrangement minimizes storage space requirements while maintaining full ramp functionality when deployed.
4Weight of moving object
If the ramp uses light-weight materials, then the ramp is portable and suitable for small vehicles, but the weight-bearing capacity may be insufficient for heavy items
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp utilizes composite construction combining different materials with complementary properties. The structure integrates materials that provide both light weight and high strength, allowing the ramp to be portable while maintaining sufficient load-bearing capacity for heavy items.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp structure is designed with pre-reinforced elements and optimized geometry that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. The preliminary design incorporates structural features that maximize load-bearing capacity without requiring heavy materials, achieving both portability and strength.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a ramp. The ramp includes at least two stiles. Each stile has a top, a bottom and four sides. A plurality of shoulders are equally spaced apart and mounted on one side of each stile. A plurality of rungs are aligned with the shoulders. Each rung has a right end, a left end and four sides. A plurality of notches are located on the right end and left end of each rung. The number of shoulders equals the number of the notches and the shoulders and notches are tightly fitted together to form the ramp.