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US 2013/0198978 A1Published application
Modular System For Assembling Ramps, Decks, And Other Raised Structures
AssigneeLowe's Companies, Inc.
InventorsJoe Kipton Pohlman, Brian Joseph Demers, Robert L. Burns, Sylvian Bryan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a modular, portable, and adjustable wheelchair ramp that provides advantages and benefits over current wheelchair ramps. The ramp may be sold in a kit with individual elements, but it is also designed to provide a frame substructure that can be used with conventional decking materials, railings, and handrails.
Claims44
A modular system for assembling a ramp, deck, or other raised structure comprising:
- (a) a plurality of adjustable structures, each adjustable structure comprising:
- (i) first and second legs;
- (ii) a bar configured to span a width between the legs;
- (iii) a first adjustable member configured to cooperate with the first leg and a second adjustable member configured to cooperate with the second leg, wherein the first adjustable member is adapted to connect with a first end of the bar and the second adjustable member is adapted to connect with a second end of the bar in order to create a frame, wherein movement of the first and second adjustable members with respect to the first and second legs causes relative movement of the bar to varying height positions when the adjustable members are connected to the bar.
1 more element
A method of assembling a ramp, deck, or other raised structure, comprising:
- (a) erecting an adjustable frame substructure;
- (b) adjusting aspects of the frame substructure to accommodate at least one of:
- (i) variations in terrain, and (ii) desired slope of a decking surface, without needing to cut the adjustable frame substructure;
- (c) installing a plurality of deck boards on the frame substructure, using dimensional lumber;
- and
- (d) installing post décor and railings on the adjustable frame substructure.
3 more elements
A method of assembling a ramp, deck, or other raised structure, comprising:
- (a) erecting an adjustable frame substructure, comprising
- (i) positioning a first set of two legs on a surface,
- (ii) sliding an adjustable sleeve on each leg and securing the adjustable sleeve at a desired height using a first height adjustment structure;
- (iii) positioning a bar to span a width between the two legs such that the bar cooperates with the adjustable sleeves to create a first frame;
- (iv) positioning a second set of two legs, adjustable sleeves, and a bar to create a second frame a distance from the first frame;
- (v) positioning a set of two side rails to span the distance between the first frame and the second frame;
- (vi) positioning at least one joist between the first frame and the second frame, wherein each joist has two ends, wherein a first end of the joist is positioned on the bar in the first frame and the second end of the joist is positioned on the bar in the second frame;
- and
- (b) positioning a plurality of deck boards on the frame substructure.
6 more elements
A modular system for assembling a ramp, deck, or other raised structure comprising:
- (a) a plurality of adjustable structures, each adjustable structure comprising:
- (i) first and second legs;
- (ii) a bar configured to span a width between the legs;
- (iii) adjustable members configured to cooperate with the first and second legs, respectively, wherein the adjustable members cooperate with respective ends of the bar;
- (b) first and second side rails configured to connect to a first adjustable structure separated a distance from a second adjustable structure, wherein the side rails span the distance between the first adjustable structure and the second adjustable structure, wherein the bar and the side rails cooperate with the adjustable members, such that movement of one of the adjustable members relative to its corresponding leg adjusts the height of a corresponding end of the bar and of the side rail in cooperation with the adjustable member;
- and
- (c) a joist configured to be positioned between the first adjustable structure and the second adjustable structure and between the side rails, wherein the joist has two ends, and wherein a first end of the joist is positioned so as to be supported by the bar in the first adjustable structure and the second end of the joist is positioned so as to be supported on the bar in the second adjustable structure.
4 more elements
A modular system for assembling a ramp, deck, or other raised structure comprising:
- (a) at least two adjustable structures, each adjustable structure comprising an H-frame with:
- (i) first and second legs;
- (ii) a bar configured to span a width between the legs;
- (iii) first and second adjustable members configured to cooperate with the first and second legs and to support the bar;
- (b) at least one joist configured to be coupled to the bar of a first H-frame and to the bar of a second H-frame, wherein the joist has two ends with each end comprising a hook-like structure that limits joist rotation relative to at least one of the bars.
2 more elements
An adjustable structure, comprising:
- (a) first and second legs;
- (b) a bar configured to span a width between the legs;
- (c) a first adjustable member configured to cooperate with the first leg and a second adjustable member configured to cooperate with the second leg, wherein the first adjustable member is adapted to connect with a first end of the bar and the second adjustable member is adapted to connect with a second end of the bar in order to create a frame, wherein movement of the first and second adjustable members with respect to the first and second legs causes relative movement of the bar to varying height positions,
- wherein each adjustable member comprises (i) a coarse height adjustment structure configured to allow the position of the adjustable member to move and be selectively locked in pre-specified increments with respect to its corresponding leg and (ii) a fine height adjustment structure configured to allow the adjustable sleeve to move and be selectively locked in increments smaller than the coarse height adjustment structure relative to its corresponding leg.
1 more element
A modular ramp system comprising:
- (a) a plurality of adjustable structures, each adjustable structure comprising an H-frame with:
- (i) first and second legs;
- (ii) a bar configured to span a width between the legs;
- and
- (iii) first and second adjustable members configured to cooperate with the first and second legs and to support the bar;
- (b) first and second side rails configured to connect a first H-frame to a second H-frame that is separated a distance from the first H-frame, wherein the side rails span the distance between the H-frames and cooperate with the adjustable members, such that movement of one of the adjustable members relative to its corresponding leg adjusts the height of a corresponding end of the bar and of the side rail in cooperation with the adjustable member;
- (c) a joist configured to be positioned between the first H-frame and the second H-frame and between the side rails, and secured to two of the bars that span the width between the two legs of each H-frame, wherein the joist has two ends with each end comprising a hook-like structure that limits rotation of the joist relative to the bars;
- (d) at least one extender insert configured to cooperate with at least one leg, wherein the height of the extender insert is adjustable relative to the leg;
- (e) at least one item of post décor configured to be positioned over or around each leg and extender insert;
- (f) at least one post cap;
- and
- (g) at least one threshold.
9 more elements
A modular ramp system comprising a ramp frame substructure, wherein the ramp frame substructure comprises a series of frame elements configured to receive a plurality of deck boards to form a ramp, and wherein:
- (a) the frame elements are adjustable to accommodate at least one of:
- (i) variations in terrain, and (ii) a desired slope of the ramp, without needing to cut the frame elements;
- and
- (b) the frame elements are configured to be compatible with dimensional lumber and conventional post décor and railing products, so that the ramp can benefit from the aesthetic design versatility provided by the various options in dimensional lumber and conventional post décor and railing products.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.