Variable inertia launch ramp

Abstract

A launch ramp includes a hollow body having first and second ends and upper and lower walls which converge to a relatively sharp edge at the first end of the body. Support legs are mounted to the body adjacent to the second end thereof, the legs being extendable an appreciable distance from of the bottom wall so that when the edge and the legs rest on a horizontal surface, the top wall is inclined at an appreciable angle relative to that surface. The hollow body defines a fluid-tight chamber which may be filled with a fluid substance to change the weight, inertial characteristic and stiffness of the ramp body.

1 . A launch ramp comprising 
 a hollow body having first and second ends and upper and lower walls which converge to a relatively sharp edge at said first end of the body, and    support means mounted to said body adjacent to the second end thereof, said support means being extendable an appreciable distance from of said lower wall so that when said edge and said support means rest on a horizontal surface, said upper wall is inclined at an appreciable angle relative to said surface.    
     
     
         2 . The ramp defined in  claim 1  wherein said hollow body has 
 additional walls extending between said upper and lower walls so as to define a fluid-tight chamber in said body;  
 an opening through one of said walls into said chamber, and  
 closure means for said opening.  
 
     
     
         3 . The ramp defined in  claim 2  and further including a fluid substance at least partially filling said chamber so as to increase the weight of said body.  
     
     
         4 . The ramp defined in  claim 3  wherein said fluid substance is a liquid.  
     
     
         5 . The ramp defined in  claim 3  wherein said fluid substance is particulate material.  
     
     
         6 . The ramp defined in  claim 3  and further including means defining a handgrip in said lower wall adjacent to an end of the body.  
     
     
         7 . The ramp defined in  claim 1  wherein said upper wall, in profile, has concave curvature.  
     
     
         8 . The ramp defined in  claim 7  wherein said lower wall has stiffening ribs extending between said body ends.  
     
     
         9 . The ramp defined in  claim 1  wherein said support means comprise 
 a pair of parallel legs, and  
 means for movably mounting said legs to said bottom wall so that said legs can be moved between a folded position wherein the legs are nested against and extend generally parallel to said bottom wall and an extended position wherein said legs extend out at a substantial angle to said bottom wall.  
 
     
     
         10 . The ramp defined in  claim 9  wherein the mounting means include means which, when the legs are in their extended position, cause said legs to protrude at an obtuse angle from the bottom wall.  
     
     
         11 . The ramp defined in  claim 10  wherein said legs are bent to form knees therealong which point away from said edge.