Foldable/Mobile Skate/Snowboard Performance Half Pipe Ramp

Abstract

The enclosed invention is a portable professional regulation size skate board and snowboard half pipe park. The park is made up of two mobile trailer units. Each unit consisting of a quarter ramps, performer platform with safety railing and a weather canopy cover. One unit consists of spectator platform and spiral staircase for climbing to the platform. Each unit comprising of structural steel framing is mechanically operated using hydraulics to raise and lower the unit on the a axis and raise and lower the quarter ramps on V axis, safety rails followed by horizontal movement on the X and Y axis. Once placed, the units, facing each other in a parallel position, hydraulically raised, then quarter ramps lowered and then hydraulically moved in the horizontal position connecting the two individual quarter ramps to be mechanically attached providing a smooth surface transition as required for the professional skate board performer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to ramps for use in skating, snowboarding and cycling exhibitions, which is hydraulically and mechanically foldable for secured mobility and hydraulically and mechanically un-foldable as a complete ramp park unit and is adjustable vertically, horizontally and laterally for multiple terrain elevations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Skateboarding, In-Line Skating and Snowboarding as a recreational activities among all ages creates opportunity for businesses to sell their products as professional skate board and snowboard riders perform tricks and stunts for the public.

[0003] As skateboarding has declined in the past it has begun to climb again in the market place as businesses try to find more ways to sell their products. It has become necessary to provide the ease of mobility and setup time in order to provide an economical means to promote new product or related exhibitions and contests for the purpose of entertainment while using a professional "competition regulation size" skate ramp.

[0004] Past and present methods of skateboarding exhibition ramp type half pipes are shipped to a site requiring hours or days of labor for assembly and disassembly making the exhibition more costly than profitable.

PRIOR ART

[0005] The following ramps are used for performing stunts by the riders and are also for use with roller skates, in-line skates and BMX bikes. For example, Schlesinger, U.S. Pat. No: 4,129,916 discloses an Adjustable Skateboard Ramp, Romero, U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,514 discloses a Ramp Device for Practicing Wheeled Sports, Farnen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,310 discloses a Modular Halfpipe Skateboard Ramp and Method of Constructing and Sheehan, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 257,874 and Firestone, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 258,460 show designs for skateboard ramps and, ltson; Joseph Derwood, GT Bicycles, Inc, U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,615 disclose a single folding design function that is not plausible within its presentation design. These references herein disclose a number of different designs of ramps and methods for constructing the ramps. Some of these references disclose the use of one-piece unitary riding surfaces, while other ramps known in the prior art disclose the use of multi-piece riding surfaces.

[0006] In view of the shortcomings of prior art, providing a portable "half-pipe" ramp transportable by a single vehicle the prior art ramp is not a regulation size skate ramp, does not provide a foldable public/rider observation deck and canopy protection for riders or invited public, therefore professional competition is not possible. The prior art design does not allow foldability as presented. It is this Applicants opinion, the prior art function is not possible in its current design form and function of its application. The new art herein provides a function that allows the ramp combined components to fold and unfold thereby making this new design foldable and mobile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior art. The present invention generally comprised of two single trailers towed by vehicle to a site; hydraulically and mechanically unfolds into two skate park quarter sections and are hydraulically and mechanically adjusted for existing terrain height differences and conditions while allowing transition heights between ramps and ramp components to be smooth, preventing injury to riders in competitions and exhibitions alike. Unit 1 trailer includes a spiral stair accessibility for riders and public personnel to the upper rider/public observation deck platform with a foldable metal guard rail system and canopy. Unit 2 trailer consists of an upper rider deck and canopy with foldable metal guard rail system.

[0008] In a present embodiment of this invention, both trailers consists the plurality of rotating wheels and tires for mobility purposes, structural steel elements and steel cross braced framing, hydraulic outriggers, stabilizers and hydraulic lifts providing required height elevation, stability and adjustability of the set up site terrain post support and bracing to support upper deck at regulation height with canopy covers.

[0009] The ramps consists of 3 movable ramp components that create one each of the required two quarter ramps once hydraulically aligned and mechanically attached together creating a half pipe ramp. The lower flat ramp portion is mechanically attached to the curved ramp component providing the flat ramp portion required in professional skate park competition and folds within the required confined space once folded in the closed mobile position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating both Unit 1 & Unit 2 quarter ramps attached facing each other creating the regulation size half pipe;

[0011] FIG. 1B is the Top View of the same;

[0012] FIG. 1C is a Front View of Unit 1 & Unit 2 ramps attached creating the half pipe performance ramp with hydraulic outriggers and stabilizers and lifts, the rider/public observation deck canopy and guard rail system of Unit 1, spiral stair and rail system and the rider upper deck and canopy on Unit 2;

[0013] FIG. 1D is a Front View of Unit 1 & Unit 2 ramps attached creating the half pipe performance ramp with hydraulic outriggers and stabilizers and lifts, the rider/public observation deck canopy of unit 1 and guard rail system and the rider canopy on Unit 2;

[0014] FIG. 1E is a Left Side View of Unit 2, hydraulic outriggers and stabilizers and lifts, the rider upper deck canopy on Unit 2 and spiral stair and rail system on Unit 1 beyond;

[0015] FIG. 1F is a Right Side View of Unit 1, hydraulic outriggers and stabilizers and lifts, the rider/public observation deck canopy and guard rail system with deck support legs and bracing.

[0016] FIG. 2A is a perspective view Unit 2 half-pipe ramp in closed mobile position;

[0017] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of Unit 1 half-pipe ramp in dosed mobile position;

[0018] FIG. 2C is Top View of Unit 2 in closed mobile position;

[0019] FIG. 2D is Top View of Unit 1 in closed mobile position an;

[0020] FIG. 2E is Front Elevation of Unit 2 in closed mobile position;

[0021] FIG. 2F is Rear Elevation of Unit 1 in dosed Mobile position;

[0022] FIG. 2G is enlarged detail of Unit 1 showing operational methods of the curved ramp folding upward in coalition with the vertical upper ramp pivoting counterclockwise allowing the curved ramp to fold upward;

[0023] FIG. 2H is Front Elevation of Unit 1 in closed mobile position;

[0024] FIG. 2I is Rear Elevation of Unit 2 in closed mobile position.

[0025] FIG. 2J is a Left Side View of Unit 2, hydraulic outriggers and stabilizers and lifts spiral stair and rail system in the closed mobile position;

[0026] FIG. 2K is a Right Side View of Unit 1, hydraulic outriggers and stabilizers and lifts spiral stair and rail system, spiral stair and rail system on Unit 1 beyond in the closed mobile position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The description within the appended drawings is intended to describe the embodiments of the invention and its function. The description describes the function and methods for operating the invention. The same or equal functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the understood intent of the invention.

[0028] The skating/snowboarding ramp trailer Unit 1 and Unit 2 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-2K which depicts a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. Trailer 10 and Ramps consists of structural steel upper deck supports and cross bracing 14, guard rails 1, canopy support legs 2, hydraulic components 15 for lifting of upper rider/public observation deck 3, observation canopy 4, vertical ramp component 5, upper rider/public observation deck 3 support legs 6 with horizontal bracing 7 and screw adjustable leg Jacks 8, spiral stair and guard rail system 9, curved ramp component stabilizer outriggers 13, and vertical hydraulic lifts 20 at ramps component 18 of each quarter ramp of Unit 1 & Unit 2.

[0029] Referring first to FIG. 1A the trailer 10 is comprised generally of all components that is attachable to two separate tow vehicles. The 40 foot long trailers 10 may be towed to any destination and unfolded hydraulically and mechanically within minutes upon arrival. The trailers 10 are positioned opposite of each other at a predetermined distance. The trailers 10 are lifted using the stabilizer 13 and lifting outriggers 20. Once lifted the trailers can be hydraulically adjusted allowing the unfolded ramps to align as they are lowered into position. Once lowered into position ramps 18 can be hydraulically adjusted in the vertical direction for smooth alignment between the two 18 ramps, the trailers 10 can be hydraulically moved tightly together on the horizontal plane and fastened together with mechanical bolting device. Once the two trailers 10 and ramps 5,12,18 have been lowered into position and stabilized 13 the hand rail systems 1 are to be unpinned and raised into position and safety pins put in place, once railings 1 are in place the upper rider 21 and rider/public deck 3 can be raised into position hydraulically 15 then placing vertical post legs 6 and horizontal bracing 7 can be put in place for secure support of the upper deck to withstand 200 pounds per square foot of weight on the public upper deck 3. Once all ramps 5,12,18 and upper deck 3 is in place the canopies 4,17 and canopy support legs 2,16 are installed and exhibition riding can begin.

[0030] To become mobile simply reverse the set up process hook trailers to towing vehicles.

Claims

1. Two foldable/mobile quarter round arched ramp assemblies comprising of two separate trailers consisting of structural steel framing, tires and wheels for mobility, with supporting structural steel framing with cross bracing supports with hydraulic outriggers, stabilizers and hydraulic lifts for raising both units with upper rider/public observation deck, with the upper public observation deck unfolded into positon hydraulically and supported by manually attached steel post supports raised and lowered using vertical screw jacks and foot pads, and lateral steel post bracing, supporting upper public observation deck platform and deck framing of wood or metal decking surface.

2. Each of the ramps consists of three separate components having hydraulic, mechanical or manual operational means and methods, devices or elements to raise, lower and adjust the ramps components, decking, laterally or unilaterally providing a smooth transition between ramp components creating a full "competition regulation size" half pipe skate ramp which mechanically closes and folds to within the legal dimensions of the fifty United States highway laws and regulations; a lower horizontal ramp component with pivoting point connections to the quarter round ramp component with pivoting point connections to trailer brackets with a vertical upper ramp component with pivoting points at the two upper rider/public decks with pivoting movement allowing the curved ramp to be raised to the folded position; with all ramps consisting of a plurality of support ribs formed thereon extending from the underside of the horizontal ramp component decks, the deck of the quarter round ramp component extension ramp and the deck of the vertical extension ramp, a plurality of regularly spaced substantially support ribs formed under each of upper rider and public performance decks with foldable metal guard rail system from the top of the trailer with a metal spiral stair and rail system to the upper rider/public snowboarding observation deck.

3. For snowboarding, the entire ramp deck surfaces is to be covered with a man-made synthetic fabric used in all season snowboarding parks for snowboard riders to perform and compete.