Apparatus for holding vehicle ramp members and a method for using the same

Abstract

An apparatus for holding at least one vehicle ramp member is provided. The apparatus includes a pad configured to receive at least a first vehicle wheel proximate a first end of the pad and a second vehicle wheel proximate a second end of the pad. The apparatus further includes a first holding member coupled to the pad proximate the first end of the pad. The first holding member is configured to hold a first vehicle ramp member at a first predetermined position on the pad. The pad supports the second vehicle wheel when the first vehicle wheel contacts the first vehicle ramp member thereby preventing movement of the pad by the first vehicle wheel.

1 . An apparatus for holding at least one vehicle ramp member, comprising: 
 a pad configured to receive at least a first vehicle wheel proximate a first end of the pad and a second vehicle wheel proximate a second end of the pad; and    a first holding member coupled to the pad proximate the first end, the first holding member being configured to hold a first vehicle ramp member at a first predetermined position on the pad,    wherein the pad supports the second vehicle wheel when the first vehicle wheel contacts the first vehicle ramp member thereby preventing movement of the pad by the first vehicle wheel.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second holding member coupled to the pad proximate the first end, the second holding member being configured to hold a second vehicle ramp member at a second predetermined position on the pad.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a distance between the first holding member and the second holding member is substantially a distance between the first vehicle wheel and a third vehicle wheel.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pad comprises a substantially rectangular pad portion and first and second extension portions, the first and second extension portions being spaced apart from one another and extending from the rectangular pad portion generally in a first direction.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first vehicle ramp member is coupled to the rectangular pad portion.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pad comprises a substantially rectangular pad.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the pad along a first axis is greater than a distance between the first vehicle wheel and the second vehicle wheel.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pad has a cushion member disposed thereon.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first holding member comprises a first fastening member, the first fastening member configured to receive a second fastening member coupled to the first vehicle ramp member to hold the first vehicle ramp member at the first predetermined position.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first holding member comprises an abutment member, the abutment member configured to contact an end of the first vehicle ramp member to prevent movement of the first vehicle ramp member in a first direction.  
     
     
         11 . A method for elevating a portion of a vehicle, comprising: 
 coupling a first ramp member to a first holding member on a pad, the first holding member disposed proximate a first end of the pad, the pad being configured to receive at least a first vehicle wheel proximate the first end of the pad and a second vehicle wheel proximate a second end of the pad; and    moving first and second vehicle wheels onto the pad, wherein when the first vehicle wheel moves upwardly on the first vehicle ramp member the second vehicle wheel contacts the pad to prevent movement of the pad.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 coupling a second ramp member to a second holding member on the pad, the second holding member disposed proximate the first end of the pad, the pad being configured to further receive a third vehicle wheel proximate the first end of the pad and a fourth vehicle wheel proximate the second end of the pad; and    moving third and fourth vehicle wheels onto the pad, wherein when the third vehicle wheel moves upwardly on the second vehicle ramp member the fourth vehicle wheel contacts the pad to prevent movement of the pad.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a distance between the first holding member and the second holding member is substantially a distance between the first vehicle wheel and the third vehicle wheel.