Modular ramp unit for vehicular exhibition

Abstract

A ramp unit for heavy duty vehicles includes multiple ramp segments and wall segments coupled with each other in a perimeter. Each of the ramp segments and wall segments are provided as modular units configured to be assembled with each other. The ramp unit also includes a deck extending between the multiple ramp segments and wall segments. An inner volume defined by the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments and the deck is configured to receive and fully enclose a bulk material such that an underside of the deck provides a barrier from an exterior of the ramp unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ramp unit for vehicular exhibition, the ramp unit comprising:
 a plurality of ramp segments and wall segments coupled with each other to form a perimeter, each of the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments being provided as modular segments configured to be assembled with each other;   a deck extending between the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments;   wherein an inner volume defined by the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments and the deck is configured to receive and fully enclose a bulk material such that an underside of the deck provides a barrier from an exterior of the ramp unit.   
     
     
         2 . The ramp unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments comprise eight segments, the eight segments provided in a heptagonal shape. 
     
     
         3 . The ramp unit of  claim 2 , wherein two of the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments are disposed along a same side of the heptagonal shape. 
     
     
         4 . The ramp unit of  claim 2 , wherein the heptagonal shape is an irregular heptagonal shape. 
     
     
         5 . The ramp unit of  claim 1 , wherein the bulk material comprises a particulate material or sand, each of the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments comprising an inner surface configured to limit transfer of the bulk material into an inner volume of each of the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments. 
     
     
         6 . The ramp unit of  claim 1 , wherein the ramp unit rests upon a ground surface without anchors or connectors extending into the ground surface. 
     
     
         7 . The ramp unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments comprise a backflip ramp configured to facilitate initiation of a backflip action of a vehicle when driven along the backflip ramp, the backflip ramp comprising:
 a main portion including a frame and a pair of cradles disposed a distance apart from each other, each cradle holding a plurality of tires coupled with the main portion; and   a pair of ramps positioned proximate and leading to a corresponding one of the plurality of tires, the pair of ramps each having a curved surface.   
     
     
         8 . The ramp unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments comprise a first two-surface ramp and a second two-surface ramp, each of the first two-surface ramp and the second two-surface ramp comprising:
 a frame comprising a plurality of structural members;   a ramp defining a surface that is angled relative to a ground surface; and   a platform defining a surface that is parallel with the ground surface.   
     
     
         9 . The ramp unit of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first two-surface ramp or the second two-surface ramp comprises:
 a wheel chock assembly comprising a wheel chock member and a plurality of beams extending from a first side of the wheel chock member, the plurality of beams configured to be received within a corresponding plurality of openings in the platform to removably couple the wheel chock assembly with the platform such that the wheel chock member extends from the surface defined by the platform, the wheel chock member having either rounded ends or square ends.   
     
     
         10 . The ramp unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments comprise a wedge ramp, the wedge ramp comprising:
 a frame comprising a plurality of structural members; and   a ramp defining a surface that is angled relative to a ground surface.   
     
     
         11 . The ramp unit of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments comprise a first wall, the first wall comprising:
 a frame comprising a plurality of structural members; and   a ramp defining a surface that is angled relative to the ground surface;   wherein the first wall has a width that is less than a width of the wedge ramp.   
     
     
         12 . The ramp unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments comprise a speed bump ramp, the speed bump ramp comprising:
 a frame comprising a plurality of structural members;   a ramp defining a surface that is angled relative to a ground surface; and   a speed bump member fixedly coupled on the ramp, the speed bump member comprising a cylindrical surface that protrudes from the ramp.   
     
     
         13 . The ramp unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments comprise a discrete surfaces ramp, the discrete surfaces ramp comprising:
 a frame comprising a plurality of structural members; and   a plurality of elongated members disposed on the frame along a path that extends in an upwards direction from a position proximate a ground surface to an elevated position.   
     
     
         14 . The ramp unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments comprise an elongated wall, the elongated wall comprising:
 a frame comprising a plurality of structural members;   a first vertical surface extending from a ground surface;   a second vertical surface; and   an angled surface extending from a top of the first vertical surface to the second vertical surface.   
     
     
         15 . The ramp unit of  claim 1 , wherein the ramp unit is configured to support a vehicle weighing not more than approximately 13,000 pounds. 
     
     
         16 . A method of assembling a modular ramp unit for heavy duty vehicles, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of ramp segments and wall segments;   assembling the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments in a shape by coupling ends of the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments with each other;   filling a space defined within a plurality of inner walls of the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments with a bulk material; and   installing and tensioning one or more tensile reinforcement members, the one or more tensile reinforcement members extending between the plurality of inner walls through the space; and   installing a deck on top of the space.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein filling the space, and installing and tensioning the one or more tensile reinforcement members comprise:
 partially filling the space defined within the plurality of inner walls of the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments with the bulk material;   installing and tensioning the one or more tensile reinforcement members, the one or more tensile reinforcement members extending between the plurality of inner walls through the space; and   filling a rest of the space within the plurality of inner walls of the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments with the bulk material to cover the one or more tensile reinforcement members.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more tensile reinforcement members comprise chains and chain binders, the chains connected between hooks on opposite ends of the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein assembling the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments in the shape comprises assembling all of the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments except one, wherein the one of the plurality of ramp segments and wall segments is installed after installing and tensioning the one or more tensile reinforcement members and before installing the deck on top of the space. 
     
     
         20 . A ramp assembly for vehicular exhibition, the ramp assembly comprising:
 a plurality of modular units coupled with each other to form a heptagonal shape, each of the plurality of modular units configured to be assembled with adjacent of each other; and   a deck extending between the plurality of modular units;   wherein an inner volume defined by the plurality of modular units and the deck is configured to receive and fully enclose a bulk material such that an underside of the deck provides a barrier from an exterior of the ramp assembly;   wherein the ramp assembly is configured to support a vehicle weighing not more than approximately 13,000 pounds; and   wherein at least one of the plurality of modular units comprises geometry configured to cause the vehicle to initiate a vehicular performance or aerial action as the vehicle travels over the geometry.