Mat ramp securement and method

Abstract

A ramp member is provided for attachment with an edge of a floor mat to facilitate transportation of an object from a floor to an upper surface of the mat. A tab is provided which extends from the ramp member and defines a plane. Two projections extend from the plane of the tab out of alignment with the plane. Additionally, two cavities are formed in the ramp member adapted for receiving at least one of the two projections therein. A method of connecting ramp members is also included.

1 . A method for connecting two ramp members adapted for attachment to an edge of a floor mat, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first ramp member having a tab extending in a first direction from the first ramp member;    providing two projections extending from the tab in a second direction; and    providing a second ramp member having two cavities each adapted for receiving therein at least one of the two projections.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  including the step of inserting at least one of the projections of the tab into one of the cavities of the second ramp member, thereby connecting the first and second ramp members.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second direction is generally transverse to the first direction.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a third projection extending in a generally transverse direction from the tab;  
 providing a third cavity in the second ramp member adapted for receiving therein the third projection; and  
 inserting the third projection of the tab into the third cavity.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of detaching a portion of the first ramp member to produce a mating edge on the first ramp member.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of detaching a portion of the second ramp member to produce a mating edge on the second ramp member.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of positioning the first ramp member mating edge adjacent to the second ramp member mating edge.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of positioning the second ramp member such that a longitudinal axis of the second ramp member forms a predetermined angle with a longitudinal axis of the first ramp member.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the predetermined angle is approximately 90 degrees.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the predetermined angle is approximately 180 degrees.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of detaching a portion of the tab which includes the two projections from the first ramp member.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1   1  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cavity in the first ramp member;  
 inserting at least one of the two projections of the detached portion of the tab into one of the cavities of the second ramp member; and  
 inserting the other projection of the detached portion of the tab into the cavity of the first ramp member, thereby connecting the first and second ramp members.  
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cavity in the first ramp member;  
 providing a third cavity in the second ramp member;  
 inserting at least one of the two projections of the detached portion of the tab into the third cavity of the second ramp member; and  
 inserting the other projection of the detached portion of the tab into the cavity of the first ramp member, thereby connecting the first and second ramp members.  
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step of detaching a portion of the first ramp member to produce a mating edge on the first ramp member.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of detaching a portion of the second ramp member to produce a mating edge on the second ramp member.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of positioning the first ramp member mating edge adjacent to the second ramp member mating edge.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of positioning the second ramp member such that a longitudinal axis of the second ramp member forms a predetermined angle with a longitudinal axis of the first ramp member.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the predetermined angle is approximately 90 degrees.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the predetermined angle is approximately 180 degrees.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of detaching a portion of the tab which includes the two projections from the first ramp member.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cavity in the first ramp member;  
 inserting at least one of the two projections of the detached portion of the tab into one of the cavities of the second ramp member; and  
 inserting the other projection of the detached portion of the tab into the cavity of the first ramp member, thereby connecting the first and second ramp members.  
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cavity in the first ramp member;  
 providing a fourth cavity in the second ramp member;  
 inserting at least one of the two projections of the detached portion of the tab into the fourth cavity of the second ramp member; and  
 inserting the other projection of the detached portion of the tab into the cavity of the first ramp member, thereby connecting the first and second ramp members.  
 
     
     
         23 . A method for connecting two ramp members adapted for attachment to an edge of a floor mat, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first ramp member having a tab extending therefrom and defining a plane;    providing at least one projection extending from the plane of the tab out of alignment with the plane; and    providing a second ramp member having at least one cavity adapted for receiving therein at least one of the two projections.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  including the step of inserting the at least one projection into the at least one cavity, thereby connecting the first and second ramp members.