US 5,209,458 A · Flexible leveling device and method of use

Abstract

The present invention discloses a flexible leveling device for the leveling of various vehicles, particularly recreational vehicles. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible leveling device of the invention generally comprises an elongate member of flexible material, with first and second ends, having a series of separated elements, preferably blocks, of steadily increasing height interconnected thereto. Each of the separated elements is interconnected to the flexible member, starting at the first end thereof with the shortest element, progressing with successively longer elements to form a steady incline, and extending through the length of such member to the second end thereof. Each separated element is disposed on the flexible member so as to provide a uniform space between adjacent elements, allowing the device to be formed into a curved configuration for use, or to be folded over or rolled to facilitate storage. In use, a device of the invention is placed adjacent to each tire on the side of the vehicle to be leveled, and the vehicle is moved onto the device(s) until the desired level is achieved.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A flexible leveling device comprising:

an elongate flexible member of substantially greater length than width and of substantially greater width than thickness, said elongate member having first and second ends, a longitudinal axis, and an upper face and a lower face;
and
a multiplicity of discrete bodies, the number of said bodies being not less than three, each having a base parallel to said longitudinal axis of said elongate member, two first sides extending upwardly from said base, two second sides extending upwardly from said base with edges of said second sides interconnected to adjacent edges of said first sides, and a top, each said base of each of said bodies being disposed on and interconnected to said upper face of said elongate member so as to provide a space between adjacent bodies, said bodies being of varying height with the shortest of said bodies being disposed near said first end of said elongate member and said bodies increasing in height from said first end of said elongate member to said second end thereof.

A flexible leveling device comprising:

a multiplicity of discrete bodies, the number of said bodies being not less than three, each having a longitudinal axis, a base parallel to said longitudinal axis of said body, two first sides extending upwardly from said base, two second sides extending upwardly from said base with edges of said second sides interconnected to adjacent edges of said first sides, and a top, said bodies being of varying height relative to each other, said bodies being disposed in an array with their longitudinal axes in coaxial alignment and with a space between adjacent bodies in said array, and said bodies being arranged in said array in increasing height relationship with the shortest of said bodies at a first end of said array and the highest of said bodies at a second end of said array;
and
means of flexibly interconnecting said bodies in said array so as to maintain the disposition of said bodies in said array and form a structure having a first end associated with said first end of said array and a second end associated with said second end of said array.

A method of leveling a vehicle across the longitudinal axis of the vehicle on a slanted surface by elevating one side of such vehicle, such vehicle having at least one axle generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a wheel and tire assembly at each end of each such axle, using one leveling device for each axle, with each such leveling device having a longitudinal axis, first and second ends, and a multiplicity of discrete bodies, not less than three in number, disposed in spaced relationship, such bodies increasing in height from the first end of such leveling device to the second end thereof to provide a linear ramp, comprising the steps of:

initially positioning said vehicle at or near the desired location on such surface;
placing one such leveling device on such surface adjacent to each tire on the side of the vehicle to be elevated wit the longitudinal axis of each such leveling device in the plane of such tire and with the first end of each such leveling device nearest to the associated tire;
and
moving the vehicle such that each tire on the side of the vehicle to be elevated moves onto the associated leveling device from the first end thereof toward the second end thereof, thereby raising each such tire from such surface a distance linearly proportional to the distance of movement of the vehicle and elevating the side of the vehicle associated therewith relative to such surface;
and
continuing such movement of the vehicle until the side of the vehicle to be elevated is raised to the desired position.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flexible leveling device and method of use

Life of this patent

Flexible leveling device and method of use

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30