Loading ramp device which rolls up for storage

Abstract

A loading ramp structure is provided which is constructed out of a plurality of relatively small and rectangular links that are joined end to end to form a span of any desired length. Moreover, the manner in which these links are joined together allows the span to be rolled up for storage when it is not in use and to be easily unrolled to form a ridged span when it is to be employed in the loading or unloading of wheeled load materials such as small supplementary vehicles.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of loading ramps and, more specifically, to loading ramps and the like which may be rolled up for convenient storage and transport.

[0002] Loading ramps of many types have been known and are commonly used to unload pick-up trucks, delivery trucks and the like. Further, these ramps may be used to allow wheeled vehicles to traverse short sets of steps. As these ramps are often used with mobile vehicles, it is desirable that the ramps be highly portable and storable. As such, several varieties of folding ramps are known. Typically, these ramps may fold in a rectangular or square fashion and pile on top of each other. As these ramps may be used to unload very heavy loads, considerable strength may be necessary when designing and using these ramps. The strength necessary along with the desirability of making a ramp easily portable has created a problem in that ramps which are easily portable may often be light and lack the requisite strength needed, whereas ramps of a sufficient amount of strength to move heavier loads may be large and bulky.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ramp which may be rolled for easy and convenient storage which is both light and easy to use while still having the requisite strength needed for a given job. Further, it is desirable that this ramp be easy to use and contain other features lending to the utility of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a method by which utility vehicles, such as garden tractors and recreational vehicles, can be easily loaded into the back load carrying portion of larger vehicles such as pickup trucks.

[0005] It is an additional objective of the present invention to provide such a loading device that can be rolled up for easy and compact storage when the device is not in use.

[0006] It is a further objective of the present invention to provide such a loading device that, when in its unrolled and deployed orientation, is strong enough to easily support the weight of the vehicles that are typically loaded and transported in this manner.

[0007] It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide such a loading device that is relatively simple and inexpensive in its design and construction which allows it to be used by average people without the need for specialized tools or knowledge.

[0008] These objectives are accomplished by the use of a series of interlocking rectangular metallic or non-metallic links that are pivotally attached to one another at both of their shorter sides.

[0009] By attaching enough of these links together in this fashion, a bridge-like structure is created that can be used to span the gap between the surface upon which a supplemental vehicle rests and the load bed of a transporting vehicle such as a pickup truck. This loading process is accomplished by placing one or more of these structures, depending upon the number and orientation of the wheels on the supplemental vehicle, between the vehicle bed and ground or surface upon which the supplemental vehicle rests, and then driving or pushing the supplemental vehicle up the ramp and into the transport vehicle. The unloading of the supplemental vehicle is accomplished simply by reversing this process.

[0010] Once the loading or unloading is accomplished, the design of the present invention allows it to be rolled up into a compact cylindrical form that can be easily stored in a relatively small area or volume. The individual links of the present invention are specifically designed in a manner that allows for this rolling and unrolling process and also allows the ramp to be extended out and employed to span relatively large distances and support a great deal of weight without the use of additional support structures. These attributes of the invention are accomplished by the manner of construction of the surfaces of the individual links where they are joined to one another and by the method used to make the connections of the links.

[0011] Each individual link has on its forward facing surface an extending tongue-like feature which has a hemispherically shaped leading edge and which corresponds in shape, size, and location to a tongue receptor slot located on the rearward surface of each link. The tongue also contains a cylindrical hole that passes laterally through it just behind the hemispherically shaped leading edge and which corresponds in location to two identical holes that pass from the link surfaces on either side of the inner walls of the tongue receptor slot to the corresponding outer walls of the link itself. Therefore, when the tongue of one link is fitted into the tongue receptor of another, there is created a cylindrical hole that passes completely through these components of two individual links. The connection of the two links is completed by passing a pressure fitted pin through this hole. This design, along with the hemispherically shaped leading edge of the tongue, allows each of the individual links to pivot in relation to one another around the axis that is formed by the insertion of the pin. This pivoting motion is the aspect of the present invention which allows it to be rolled up for storage purposes.

[0012] The individual links of the invention are also designed to provide the pivoting motion at the proper point so as to form a bridge-like span which is central to its purpose. This is accomplished by the design of the forward and reward edges of the links that make up the span. The forward edge of the link (that containing the connection tongue) is formed so that it is oriented at right angles to the other surfaces of the link. The major importance of the design of the forward surface is the manner in which it interacts with the rearward surface of the adjacent link in the span of the invention. It is this interaction of these two surfaces which provides both the pivoting and load bearing functions of the invention. Additionally, the relationship between the location of the pivot point (at the lower surface of the links) and these contact surfaces (at the upper surface of the links) focuses the load carried by the invention on to these areas.

[0013] The rearward surface of each individual link (that containing the tongue receptor slot) is fashioned in a manner so that the lower edge of that surface is rounded towards the center of the link. This rounded edge works in conjunction with the pin and allows the individual links to pivot downward in relation to the axis of the pin when the invention is rolled up for storage. Additionally, the upper portion of the rearward surface of each link is flat and is formed with a slight inwardly oriented angle (in relation to the upper surface of the links) which interacts with the flat surface of the forward surface of the link located directly behind it. This slight angle is important to the function of the invention as it imparts a slight arch to the bridge span when it is extended for loading and unloading purposes. This arch increases the horizontal strength of the arch and allows the invention to be used in conjunction with heavier loads.

[0014] The individual links may also be designed with an upper surface which has a knurled pattern machined into it. This design provides a loading ramp with a greater degree of surface area on its upper surface which in turn provides a greater degree of traction to the wheels of vehicles that are passing over it during loading and unloading operations. Additionally, an optional anti-skid cleat is also available for use with the present invention which can provide an additional measure of traction. The anti-skid cleat is a protrusion of the upper surface of the link which is formed in the shape of a right triangle with its short perpendicular surface being oriented forward in relation to the link. This orientation of the cleat creates a very sharp point which provides a great deal of traction to any wheel of any vehicle passing over the present invention.

[0015] A still further alternative version of the present invention uses I-beam construction in order to greatly reduce the weight of the links while still maintaining the strength. This construction uses a diagonal off set of inter-connected I-beams in order to facilitate the lighter construction and to more evenly distribute heavy loads during the loading and unloading of a vehicle while using the present device.

[0016] Finally, it is contemplated that the present invention may also be used to form a rolling ladder that uses most of the current features as discussed above, however uses links with hollow inner sections so as to form rungs or portions of a ladder when unrolled.

[0017] For a better understanding of the present invention reference should be made to the drawings and the description in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the initial present invention illustrating the manner in which it is employed in conjunction with a pickup truck.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ramp link component of the initial present invention concept detailing its manner of construction and the orientation of its major components.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the initial present invention showing it in its rolled configuration which is employed for storage purposes when the invention is not in use.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of two of the ramp links of the initial present invention detailing the manner in which the separate links are connected to one another to form the body of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of two of the ramp links of the initial present invention detailing the manner in which the separate links are connected to one another to form the body of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an individual ramp link of the initial present invention in which an optional anti-skid cleat in employed.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an individual ramp link of the initial present invention in which an optional anti-skid cleat in employed.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an individual ramp link of the initial present invention in which an alternative embodiment of the anti-skid cleat as shown in FIG. 6 is illustrated.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a top elevation view of the skid cleat in FIG. 8 and illustrates its major components and their manner of construction.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the skid cleat in FIG. 8 and illustrates its major components and their manner of construction.

[0028] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the initial present invention which employs stabilizing cable to add additional vertical strength to the body of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of two of the ramp links of the embodiment of the initial present invention that is illustrated in FIG. 11 and details the manner in which the cable is attached to the links.

[0030] FIG. 13 is a top elevation view of two of the ramp links of the embodiment of the initial present invention that is illustrated in FIG. 11 and details the manner in which the cable is attached to the links.

[0031] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention which employs a plurality of ramp link tongues and tongue receptors to make the connection between individual links of the ramp span.

[0032] FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 14 and illustrates the orientation of individual links major components in relation to one another.

[0033] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 14 and illustrates the orientation of individual links major components in relation to one another.

[0034] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a still further alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the individual ramp links are built with an multiple I-beam type construction and which also constructed in the lightest possible manner by the removal of material from the non-stressed portions of the I-beams.

[0035] FIG. 18 is a top elevation view of this alternative embodiment illustrating the plurality of upper surface slots that are employed in the construction of the ramp link which help to reduce its overall weight.

[0036] FIG. 19 is a bottom elevation view of this embodiment of the present invention illustrating the manner in which the individual I-beams are constructed to form the interlocking structure of this embodiment of the ramp link.

[0037] FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of this embodiment of the present invention illustrating the perforated manner of construction of the individual I-beams which helps to reduce the overall weight of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

[0038] Referring now to the drawings, and more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, the roll up loading ramp 10 consists primarily of a single or multiple ramp spans 12 which are themselves made up of a plurality of interlocking rectangular metallic ramp links 14. These ramp links 14 are pivotally attached to one another at both of their front and rear shorter sides by the use of the tongue 32, tongue receptor groove 34, and pin 36. By attaching a prescribed number of these ramp links 14 together by the use of these three components, a bridge-like structure is created that can be used to span the gap between the surface upon which a supplemental vehicle rests and the box floor 22 of a pickup truck 20 or other transporting vehicle.

[0039] The loading process by use of the present invention is accomplished by placing one or more of these ramp span 12 structures, depending upon the number and orientation of the wheels on the supplemental vehicle, between the truck box floor 22 and ground and then driving or pushing the supplemental vehicle up the ramp 12 and into the transport vehicle 20. The attachment of the ramp spans 12 to the pickup 20 may be accomplished by the use of an upper magnetic clamp 16 which bonds to the metallic surface of the tail gate 24 of the truck 20 by the means of its inherent magnetism. The upper magnetic clamp 16 is a triangularly shaped link with its pointed end oriented in a forward manner in relation to the other ramp links 14 and which is attached to the upper most link 14 in the ramp span 12 in the same manner as the ramp links 14. Additionally, the lower end of the ramp span 12 is equipped with a lower ramp foot 18 which is also triangularly shaped and which functions to smooth the transition of the supplemental vehicle from the ground to the ramp span 12, and vise versa, during the loading or unloading process.

[0040] Once the loading or unloading processes is accomplished, the design of the present invention allows it to be rolled up into a compact form that can be easily stored in a relatively small area which is clearly illustrated in FIG. 3. This FIG. illustrates the manner in which the individual ramp links 14 of the ramp span 12 are rolled around the lower ramp foot 18 in a spiral fashion which terminates at the upper magnetic clamp 16. This spiral roll forms a relatively compact structure which can be stored on the box floor 22 in the position and orientation which interferes the least with the operator's desired use of the rest of the box floor 22 space.

[0041] The individual ramp links 14 of the present invention are specifically designed in a manner that facilitates this storage ability and these features are further detailed in FIG. 2. Each individual link 14 has on its front contact surface 40 a forward extending tongue 32 which has a hemispherically shaped leading edge 33 and which corresponds in shape, size, and location to the tongue receptor slot 34 located on the rear contact surface 41 of each link 14. The tongue 32 also contains a cylindrical tongue pin hole 30 hole that passes laterally through it just behind the hemispherically shaped leading edge 33 and which corresponds in location to two identical link pin holes 28 that pass from the link 14 surfaces on either side of the inner walls of the tongue receptor slot 34 to the corresponding outer walls of the link 14 itself. Therefore, when the tongue 32 of one link 14 is fitted into the tongue receptor 34 of another, there is created a cylindrical pin hole that passes completely through these components of two individual links 14. The connection of the two links 14 is completed by passing a pressure fitted pin 36 through this hole. This design, along with the hemispherically shaped leading edge 33 of the tongue 32, allows each of the individual links 14 to pivot in relation to one another around the axis that is formed by the insertion of the pin 36. This pivoting motion is the aspect of the present invention which allows it to be rolled up for storage purposes and also to be unrolled for loading purposes.

[0042] Additionally, the positioning of the link pin hole 28 in relation to the skid resistant link surface 26 and the link contact edge 38 is important to the operation of the present invention. This relationship creates a contact distance (the distance between the center of the link pin hole 28 and the skid resistant link surface 26) on the link contact edge 38 and the rear contact surface 42 which is the portion of these two components that come together when the ramp spans 12 are extended for use. The important aspect of the contact distance is that the overall strength of the ramp span 12 is dependant upon this point of contact. Therefore, a greater the contact distance used on the individual ramp links 14 will produce a ramp span 12 of comparatively greater strength.

[0043] The individual links 14 of the present invention are also designed to stop the pivoting motion of the links 14 in relation to one another at the proper point as to form the bridge-like span which is central to the purpose of the invention. This is accomplished by the design of the front and rear contact surfaces, 40 and 41, of the ramp links 14 that make up the ramp span 12. The front contact surface 40 of the ramp link 14 (that containing the connection tongue) is formed so that it is oriented at right angles to the other surfaces of the link 14. The major importance of this design of the front contact surface 40 is the manner in which it interacts with the rear contact surface 41 of the adjacent link 14 in the ramp span 12 of the invention. It is the interaction of the front and rear contact surfaces, 40 and 41, of the individual ramp links 14 which provides both the pivoting and load bearing functions of the ramp span 12 of the present invention.

[0044] The rear contact surface 42 of each individual link 14 (that containing the tongue receptor slot 34 and which is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5) is fashioned in a manner so that the lower edge of that surface is rounded towards the center of the link 14. This rounded edge, or link cambered surface 42, works in conjunction with the pin 36 and allows the individual links 14 to pivot downward in relation to the axis of the pin 14 when the invention is rolled up for storage. Additionally, the upper portion of the rear contact surface 41 of each link 14, or the link contact edge 38, is flat and is formed with a slight inwardly oriented angle (in relation to the upper surface of the links 14) which interacts with the flat front contact surface 40 of the ramp link 14 located directly behind it. This slight angle is important to the function of the invention as it imparts a slight arch to the bridge span when it is extended for loading and unloading purposes. This arch increases the horizontal strength of the ramp span 12 and allows the invention to be used in conjunction with relatively heavy loads.

[0045] The individual links 14 are also designed with a skid resistant upper surface 26 which has a knurled pattern machined into it. This knurled skid resistant upper surface 26 provides a loading ramp span 12 with a greater degree of surface edges on its upper surface which in turn provides a greater degree of traction to the wheels of vehicles that are passing over it during loading and unloading operations. This design imparts a greater degree of safety to this manner of loading and unloading supplemental vehicles which is especially advantageous to users with lesser amounts of knowledge and experience with these types of operations.

[0046] Additionally, an optional anti-skid cleat 44 is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. This optional anti-skid cleat 44 is available for use with the present invention which and provides an additional measure of traction in furtherance to that which is provided by the skid resistant link surface 26. The anti-skid cleat 44 is a protrusion of the upper surface of the ramp link 14 which is formed in the shape of a right triangle with its short perpendicular surface 46 being oriented forward in relation to the body of the ramp link 14. This orientation of the anti-skid cleat 44 creates a very sharp cleat peak 48 that extends completely across the upper surface of the ramp link 14 and creates a sharp edge which in itself provides a great deal of traction to any wheel of any vehicle passing over the ramp span 12 present invention.

[0047] An alternative embodiment of this anti-skid cleat 44 is illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, in which the cleat is designed and constructed in a manner that allows it to pivot in relation to the upper surface of the ramp link 14. This pivoting anti-skid cleat 50 is made up of a central cleat body 54 that is very similar to the design and function of the standard anti-skid cleat 44. However, it differs in that it is not permanently attached to the upper surface of the ramp link 14 but is instead thereby affixed to by the use of a pair of parallel pivot arms 52 that extend perpendicularly from each end of the cleat body 54 in a forward manner in relation to the ramp link 14 and are which each pivotally attached at their most forwards ends to the side of the ramp link 14. This design allows the cleat body 54 to move up and down (in relation to the upper surface of the ramp link 14) within the pivotal arch that is created by this method of cleat attachment. The pivoting ability of the anti-skid cleat 50 works in conjunction with the spring groove 58 and leaf spring 56 to allow the cleat body 54 to change its orientation as a object passes over it. This provides an additional gripping surface to the upper surface of the ramp span 12 that can adjust to the weight of the object passing over it which imparts the maximum amount of traction to the wheel of the vehicle that is using the present invention.

[0048] The pivoting anti-skid cleat 50 is constructed so that the cleat body 54 rests upon the upper surface of the leaf spring 56 which is in turn held within the spring groove 58 on either end by the use of the two retainer screws 60. The leaf spring 56 bows upward, in relation to the bottom of the spring groove, from either end to form an inverted U-shape which has the capability to flex in a downward fashion when pressure is placed on its center portion by the cleat body 54. Additionally, the spring groove 58 is constructed in a manner so that it is slightly wider than the base of the cleat body 54 which allows the cleat body 54 to be pushed down below the level of the upper surface of the ramp link 14. This design allows this embodiment of the present invention to operate most effectively by adjusting to the weight of the vehicles that are passing over it.

[0049] An additional embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13. In this embodiment of the invention, a horizontal stabilizing cable 62 is added to the ramp span 12 which serves to strengthen the ramp span 12 and allow its use with heavier loads than is recommended with the standard invention. The horizontal stabilizing cable 62 functions by being attached to the outer two ramp links 14 on either end of the ramp span 12 and which is then tightened to place an upward force on the length of the ramp span 12. This attachment is accomplished by the stabilizing cable 62 being fixed to the final ramp link 14 on either end of the ramp span 12 by the use of the cable retainer 66 from which the stabilizing cable 62 passes over a cable guide 68 located on the second ramp link 14 from either end of the span 12.

[0050] The tensioning function of the horizontal stabilizing cable 62 is facilitated by the use of the cable turnbuckle 64 located near the center of the stabilizing cable and, by means of its threaded connection to the cable 62, can be rotated to shorten or lengthen the distance between each point of attachment to the ramp span 12. The upward tension placed on the ramp span 12 serves to further resist downward force placed on the ramp span by a vehicle. This effectively strengthens the present invention which allows for its use with a wider variety of supplemental vehicles.

[0051] A still further alternative embodiment of the ramp link 12 components of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16. These FIGS. illustrate the manner of construction of the multiple tongue ramp link 70. The multiple tongue ramp link 70 differs from the standard ramp link 14 as previously described in that the manner used to connect the individual multiple tongue ramp links 70 together to form a ramp span 12. This connection is made by the use of a plurality of interlocking tongues 72 located on one side of the ramp link 70 which match in both relative location and shape to the plurality of interlocking tongue receptor slots 74 located on the opposite side of the ramp link 70. In the link 70 connection process, the interlocking tongues 72 of on link 70 are placed into the tongue receptor slots of another and then a pin 36 is passed through the corresponding tongue and link pin holes, 28 and 30, to hold the individual links 70 together in much the same manner as described previously for the original ramp links 14. The plurality of the interlocking tongues 72 also operate to evenly distribute the working loads placed upon the present invention during loading and unloading operations.

[0052] Additionally, the individual multiple tongue ramp links 70 work together to form the desired slight upward arch of the ramp span 12 that gives the ramp span an added degree of strength and that was previously described in the description of FIGS. 4 and 5. This arching effect is obtained by the manner in which the cambered surface 42 of the interlocking tongues 72 creates a slight angle in relation to the link surface 26 when in contact with the contact edge 38 of the tongue receptor slots 74 of the adjacent link 70. Also, this embodiment of the employs a longer contact distance to provide additional strength. Thus, this alternative embodiment of the present invention operates in the same manner as the original but by means of its plurality of interlocking tongues 72 and longer contact distance provides a stronger ramp span 12.

[0053] A still further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 17, 18, 19, and 20, which shows the manner of construction of the lightweight I-beam ramp link 76. The light weight I-beam ramp link 76 is made up of a plurality of interconnected I-beams 82 which are diagonally offset in relation to one another and in relation to the front and rear ends of the lightweight I-beam ramp link 76. The diagonal offset of the interconnected I-beams helps to facilitate the lighter construction methods employed with the present invention and also to distribute heavy loads better during loading and unloading operations.

[0054] One side of the dual sided terminal ends of the individual I-beams 82 at both the front and rear ends of the present invention is paired with the corresponding side of the terminal end of the neighboring I-beam 82 to form an I-beam connective pair 84. The I-beam connective pair 84 corresponds in width to the inter I-beam connective slots 86 located between the plurality of the I-beam connective pairs 84. Additionally, the terminal ends of the outer I-beams 82 at the rear of the lightweight I-beam ramp link 76 are unpaired and thus form an I-beam connective single 94 which close off the outer most inter I-beam connective slots 86 and also form the outer edge of the invention.

[0055] The I-beam connective pairs 84 and the I-beam connective singles 94 are equipped with hemispherically shaped connective nobs 90 that are equipped with I-beam pin holes 88 located at their centers. Thus, when connecting a plurality of lightweight I-beam ramp links 76, the I-beam connective pairs 84 located in the front contact surface 40 of one lightweight I-beam ramp link 76 are fitted into the inter I-beam connective slots 86 located in the rear contact surface 41 of another and the I-beam pin holes 88 in the connective nobs 90 of all are aligned with one another. Once this has been accomplished, a connective pin is passed through the aligned I-beam pin holes 88 to pivotally connect one lightweight I-beam ramp link 76 to another in much the same manner as previously described for the other embodiments of the present invention.

[0056] Finally, the lightweight I-beam ramp link 76 is constructed in a manner that reduces its overall weight, in comparison to other embodiments of equal dimensions, by as much as 30 percent without affecting its weight carrying capacity. This is accomplished by two primary means. The first of these is the use of a plurality of upper surface slots 80 cut into the lightened link surface 78. These surface slots 80 run from the front of the lighted link surface 78 to the rear and help to lighten the overall structure without compromising its structural integrity or significantly decreasing the amount of gripping surface provided by the invention.

[0057] The second method of reducing the overall weight of the body of the present invention is the use of perforated I-beam frames 92 in the construction of the individual I-beams 82. This weight reduction is accomplished by the removal, or more precisely, the lack of incorporation, of portions of the vertical part of the “I” of the individual I-beams 82. This method of construction leaves a lattice frame-like component with solid support members and centrally located open areas. The lattice method of construction provides the necessary structural rigidity for the proper operation of the invention while significantly reducing its weight.

[0058] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Claims

1. A loading ramp device comprising:

a plurality of rectangular links each of said links having a top surface, a bottom surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, a first joining surface and a second joining surface;

each of said links further defining a tongue supplied on said first joining surface such that said tongue is closer to said bottom surface of said link than said top surface of said link, said tongue further defining a pin hole;

each of said links further defining a tongue receptor on said second joining surface such that said tongue receptor is closer to said bottom surface of said link than said top surface of said link said tongue receptor being directly across said link from said tongue;

a pin for holding said tongue of a first link into a tongue receptor so that said links can move between a first extended position and a second coiled position;

said first extended position is defined by said first joining surface of a link being in contact with said second joining surface of a second link such that when said links are in a first extended position said links form an elongate ramp with a first and second end that can withstand a load placed upon said top surface; and

said second coiled position is defined by rotating a first link toward a second link such that said bottom surface of said first link moves toward the bottom surface of said second link such that said plurality of rectangular links may be placed in substantially circular storage coil.

2. A loading ramp device as in claim 1 further comprising a first and second ramp foot said ramp feet being substantially wedge shaped such that when said first and second ramp feet are attached to said first and second ends of said elongate ramp they form a first and second tapered end to said elongate ramp.

3. A loading ramp device as in claim 2 wherein said first joining surface and second joining surface of said links is formed such that when said surfaces are in contact to form said elongate ramp the top surface of said links form the top surface of said elongate ramp and the top surface of said elongate ramp forms a slight upward arch.

4. A loading ramp device as in claim 3 wherein said top surface of said links define a contoured gripping surface.

5. A loading ramp device as in claim 4 further comprising a support cable attached to a right side surface of a first link and extending to a right side surface of a second link so as to support said elongate ramp when in said extended position.

6. A loading ramp device as in claim 2 wherein said top surface of said links further defines a plurality of slots.

7. A loading ramp device as in claim 6 wherein said links are comprised of a series of I-beam sections.

8. A loading ramp device as in claim 7 wherein said I-beams cross said links in a diagonal fashion from the first joining surface to the second joining surface.

9. A roll-up elongate loading ramp comprising:

a plurality of rectangular links each of said links having a top surface, a bottom surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, a first joining surface and a second joining surface said links defining an inner volume that is substantially void;

each of said links further defining a nob section supplied on said first joining surface such that said nob section is closer to said bottom surface of said link than said top surface of said link, said nob section further defining a pin hole;

each of said links further defining a nob section receptor on said second joining surface such that said nob section receptor is closer to said bottom surface of said link than said top surface of said link said tongue receptor being directly across said link from said tongue;

a pin for holding said nob section of a first link into a nob section receptor so that said links can move between a first extended position and a second coiled position;

said first extended position is defined by said first joining surface of a link being in contact with said second joining surface of a second link such that when said links are in a first extended position said links form an elongate loading ramp with a first and second end that can withstand a load placed upon said top surface; and

said second coiled position is defined by rotating a first link toward a second link such that said bottom surface of said first link moves toward the bottom surface of said second link such that said plurality of rectangular links may be placed in substantially circular storage coil.

10. A roll-up elongate loading ramp as in claim 9 further comprising a first and second ramp foot said ramp feet being substantially wedge shaped such that when said first and second ramp feet are attached to said first and second ends of said elongate loading ramp they form a first and second tapered end to said elongate ramp.

11. A roll-up elongate loading ramp as in claim 10 wherein said top surface of said links further defines a plurality of slots.

12. A roll-up elongate loading ramp as in claim 11 wherein said links are comprised of a series of I-beam sections.

13. A roll-up elongate loading ramp as in claim 12 wherein said I-beams cross said links in a diagonal fashion from the first joining surface to the second joining surface within said inner volume.

14. A roll-up elongate loading ramp as in claim 13 wherein said first joining surface and second joining surface of said links is formed such that when said surfaces are in contact to form said elongate loading ramp the top surface of said links form the top surface of said elongate loading ramp and the top surface of said elongate loading ramp forms a slight upward arch.

15. A roll-up elongate loading ramp as in claim 14 wherein said top surface of said links further defines a contoured gripping surface.