Patents by Inventor Ronald S. Winter

Ronald S. Winter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240376719
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a ramp and/or platform assembly is described. The ramp and/or assembly can include a decking surface for supporting an object. The ramp and/or platform assembly can also include a bracket member that couples to the ramp and/or platform assembly. The ramp and/or platform assembly can also include a handrail assembly which includes an elongated member. The elongated member can include a first end portion that pivotably couples to the bracket member about a pivot point and a second end portion that is distal from the first end portion. The pivot point of the elongated member can be adjustable relative to the decking surface between a first position and a second position. The elongated member can also be adjustable between a first angular position and a second angular position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Donald G. Everard, Ronald S. Winter, Judson Branch
  • Publication number: 20240308795
    Abstract: A modular loading ramp system includes an entry portion configured for contact with the ground, a planar section providing the primary load-carrying portion of the ramp, and a raised-surface-engaging portion for engagement with the threshold of a container, such as a metal storage container or a mobile office. The entry portion has a generally flat top surface that provides smooth transition to the planar section, and an angled lower face that defines the angle that the ramp may assume when deployed, which angle limits the ramp incline during use to no greater than approximately 10%. The raised-surface-engaging portion defines a curved surface configured to engage the container through a line contact to improve stability. Connecting members are provided along opposite side edges of each ramp unit and are configured to mate with connecting members on an opposite edge of an identical ramp unit, thus enabling a modular assembly of multiple ramp units to adapt to varied container entrance configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Jodi Shaw, Gregg Sheddy, Corey Salemi, Donald G. Everard, Judson S. Branch, Ronald S. Winter
  • Patent number: 11560719
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides elbow assemblies for ramp and platform assemblies, and ramp and platform assemblies. The elbow assembly includes a first elbow sub-part that is configured to nest within a second elbow sub-part. The elbow assembly includes useful features, including structure that enables direct connection either to a tubular support member or a flat portion of a support member, and structure that provides a smooth transition between the first elbow sub-part and the second elbow sub-part at any angle within the range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: HOMECARE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Winter
  • Patent number: 11396755
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a handrail system for a ramp assembly, the handrail system includes first and second handrail posts oriented substantially perpendicular to a ground surface, a handrail portion having first and second ends extending between the first and second handrail posts, wherein the handrail portion is substantially parallel to a ramping surface ramping from a first elevation to a second elevation at a grade, and first and second interfaces at the first and second ends of the handrail portion for interfacing with the first and second handrail posts. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, an adaptor is configured for a handrail portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Homecare Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Winter
  • Patent number: 11352797
    Abstract: A platform interface includes a platform, a hanger, and a ramping section. The platform defines a slot. The hanger has a body with a first end and a second end, a flange outwardly extending from the body and having a flange lip, and a gap extending between the first end and the flange lip. The ramping section has a hook configured to engage the flange such that the platform supports the ramping section via the flange. The gap is sized to prevent rotation of the hanger relative to the platform when the first end of the hanger is engaged with the slot and the hook engages the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Homecare Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Winter
  • Patent number: 10900236
    Abstract: A handrail bracket for coupling a handrail to a portion of a ramp and/or platform assembly includes a first portion for coupling to a handrail system, and a second portion for supporting the handrail, the second portion being adjustably coupled to the first portion. A ramp and/or platform assembly includes a handrail system coupled to the decking system at an interface, wherein the handrail system includes a pivoting bracket for adjustable handrail alignment to substantially align a handrail with the grade of the decking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Homecare Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Winter
  • Publication number: 20210010273
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides elbow assemblies for ramp and platform assemblies, and ramp and platform assemblies. The elbow assembly includes a first elbow sub-part that is configured to nest within a second elbow sub-part. The elbow assembly includes useful features, including structure that enables direct connection either to a tubular support member or a flat portion of a support member, and structure that provides a smooth transition between the first elbow sub-part and the second elbow sub-part at any angle within the range of motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Homecare Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Winter
  • Patent number: 10676937
    Abstract: A ramp assembly includes a decking system and a handrail system, an interface between the decking system and the handrail system, and a support system pivotably coupled to the interface. Other embodiments include a swivel bracket and a method of assembling a ramp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Homecare Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Winter
  • Patent number: 10676938
    Abstract: A ramp and/or platform assembly includes a decking system having a tread surface on at least a portion of a top deck surface of the decking system, wherein the tread surface includes a plurality of multi-tiered ridges on the top deck surface for contact with a traveling body on the top deck surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Homecare Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Winter
  • Publication number: 20190383022
    Abstract: A platform interface includes a platform, a hanger, and a ramping section. The platform defines a slot. The hanger has a body with a first end and a second end, a flange outwardly extending from the body and having a flange lip, and a gap extending between the first end and the flange lip. The ramping section has a hook configured to engage the flange such that the platform supports the ramping section via the flange. The gap is sized to prevent rotation of the hanger relative to the platform when the first end of the hanger is engaged with the slot and the hook engages the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Homecare Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Winter
  • Publication number: 20190338530
    Abstract: A ramp and/or platform assembly includes a decking system having a tread surface on at least a portion of a top deck surface of the decking system, wherein the tread surface includes a plurality of multi-tiered ridges on the top deck surface for contact with a traveling body on the top deck surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Homecare Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Winter
  • Publication number: 20190218787
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a handrail bracket for coupling a handrail to a portion of a ramp and/or platform assembly includes a first portion for coupling to a handrail system, and a second portion for supporting the handrail, the second portion being adjustably coupled to the first portion. In another embodiment, a ramp and/or platform assembly includes a handrail system coupled to the decking system at an interface, wherein the handrail system includes a pivoting bracket for adjustable handrail alignment to substantially align a handrail with the grade of the decking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Homecare Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Winter
  • Publication number: 20190119922
    Abstract: A ramp assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a decking system and a handrail system, and an interface between the decking system and the handrail system and a support system pivotably coupled to the interface. Other embodiments include a swivel bracket and a method of assembling a ramp assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Homecare Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Winter
  • Publication number: 20190119923
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a handrail system for a ramp assembly, the handrail system includes first and second handrail posts oriented substantially perpendicular to a ground surface, a handrail portion having first and second ends extending between the first and second handrail posts, wherein the handrail portion is substantially parallel to a ramping surface ramping from a first elevation to a second elevation at a grade, and first and second interfaces at the first and second ends of the handrail portion for interfacing with the first and second handrail posts. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, an adaptor is configured for a handrail portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Homecare Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Winter