Stowable ramp and method of use

Abstract

A stowable ramp configured for use with a pet tub. The ramp comprises an upper section, a lower section and a pair of wheels. The upper section is a substantially rectangular platform whose upper section is hingeably attached to the tub and disposed substantially at the bottom periphery of the tub's opening. The lower section comprises a substantially rectangular platform whose upper edge is hingeably connected to the lower edge of the upper section. Each wheel is disposed at the lower end of the lower section and oriented in such a manner that its axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the axes of rotation of the hinges. At least one finger hold is further provided on each side of the platform and disposed substantially toward the bottom end of the upper section. In order to stow an erected ramp, an operator lifts the ramp at the finger hold using one or two fingers such that the bottom section swings towards the tub and tucks the ramp under the tub. In order to erect a stowed ramp, the operator again lifts the ramp at the finger hold using one or two fingers such that the bottom section swings away from the tub causing the upper and bottom sections to come in alignment to form a ramp.

1 . A stowable ramp configured to bridge a gap between a floor and an elevated structure that is mountable to the elevated structure and stowable in a clearance underneath the elevated structure, said ramp comprising:
 an upper section comprising an elongated platform having an upper surface, a length, an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges; and   a lower section comprising an elongated platform having an upper surface, a length, an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges, wherein the lower edge of said upper section is connected to the upper edge of said lower section via a pivoting means having an axis of rotation substantially coaxial to the lower edge of said upper section, said pivoting means further comprising a stopping means so that when said ramp is being erected, said upper section is permitted to rotate with respect to said lower section with a relative angle ranging from a value corresponding to a stowed position of said ramp to a value corresponding to a stopping point imposed by said stopping means and when said ramp is being stowed, said upper section is permitted to rotate with respect to said lower section with a relative angle ranging from a value corresponding to an erected position of said ramp to said value corresponding to said stowed position.   
     
     
         2 . The stowable ramp of  claim 1 , wherein the upper edge of said upper section comprises an attaching means and the lower edge of said lower section comprises a rolling means having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said pivoting means. 
     
     
         3 . The stowable ramp of  claim 2 , wherein said rolling means is a pair of wheels attached substantially to the lower edge of said lower section. 
     
     
         4 . The stowable ramp of  claim 1 , wherein said upper section further comprises a pair of side walls, wherein each said side wall extends substantially perpendicular to the elongated platform of said upper section from a side edge of said upper section such that enhanced stiffness of said upper section is realized. 
     
     
         5 . The stowable ramp of  claim 4 , wherein said pivoting means is a piano hinge. 
     
     
         6 . The stowable ramp of  claim 4 , wherein said pivoting means is an overlap hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The stowable ramp of  claim 2 , wherein said attaching means is a hinge pivotably connecting the upper edge of said upper section to the elevated structure. 
     
     
         8 . The stowable ramp of  claim 1 , further comprising a handhold disposed substantially at the lower edge of said upper section. 
     
     
         9 . The stowable ramp of  claim 8 , wherein said handhold is a knob. 
     
     
         10 . The stowable ramp of  claim 8 , further comprising a hole disposed on one of said side walls. 
     
     
         11 . The stowable ramp of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of said upper and lower sections is constructed from a non-slip material. 
     
     
         12 . The stowable ramp of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the length of said upper section to the length of said lower section ranges from about 0.5 to 0.6. 
     
     
         13 . The stowable ramp of  claim 1 , wherein a total length including the length of said upper section and said lower section is about twice the height of the clearance between the floor and the elevated structure. 
     
     
         14 . A stowable pet tub ramp configured to bridge a gap between a floor and an elevated structure that is mountable to the elevated structure and stowable in a clearance underneath said elevated structure, said ramp comprising:
 an upper section comprising an elongated platform having an upper surface, a length, an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges; and   a lower section comprising an elongated platform having an upper surface, a length, an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges, wherein the lower edge of said upper section is connected to the upper edge of said lower section via a pivoting means having an axis of rotation substantially coaxial to the lower edge of said upper section, said pivoting means further comprises a stopping means so that when said ramp is being erected, said upper section is permitted to rotate with respect to said lower section with a relative angle ranging from a value corresponding to a stowed position of said ramp to a value corresponding to a stopping point imposed by said stopping means and when said ramp is being stowed, said upper section is permitted to rotate with respect to said lower section with a relative angle ranging from a value corresponding to an erected position of said ramp to a value corresponding to said stowed position.   
     
     
         15 . The stowable pet tub ramp of  claim 14 , wherein the upper edge of said upper section comprises an attaching means and the lower edge of said lower section comprises a rolling means having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said pivoting means. 
     
     
         16 . The stowable pet tub ramp of  claim 15 , wherein said rolling means is a pair of wheels attached substantially to the lower edge of said lower section. 
     
     
         17 . The stowable pet tub ramp of  claim 14 , further comprising a handhold disposed substantially at the lower edge of said upper section. 
     
     
         18 . The stowable pet tub ramp of  claim 14 , wherein the ratio of the length of said upper section to the length of said lower section ranges from about 0.5 to 0.6. 
     
     
         19 . The stowable pet tub ramp of  claim 14 , wherein a total length including the length of said upper section and said lower section is about twice the height of the clearance between the floor and the elevated structure. 
     
     
         20 . A method for using a stowable ramp including an upper section and a lower section, wherein said upper section is pivotably connected to said lower section, said upper section is pivotably connected to an elevated structure and said lower section rests on a floor, said method comprising:
 deploying with one finger a stowed ramp from a stowed position including lifting said upper section until said lower section swings under its own momentum away from the elevated structure passing a gravity axis and lowering said upper section until said lower section contacts the floor; and   stowing with one finger a deployed ramp from a deployed position including lifting said upper section until said lower section swings under its own momentum toward the elevated structure passing a gravity axis and lowering said upper section until said lower section contacts the floor.