Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Carrigan

Stephen A. Carrigan 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).

  • Patent number: 7383600
    Abstract: A convertible dock ramp has an upper end pivotally mounted to a mounting structure, and a lower end resting on a second structure. The dock ramp includes a pair of spaced-apart side frames each including upper and lower rails; and a plurality of steps each including a tread surface and a bottom surface connected by spaced-apart curved front and rear surfaces. The steps are pivotally mounted between the side frames such that the tread surfaces remain substantially parallel to each other as the side frames pivot. The steps are pivotable between: a ramp configuration in which the tread surfaces collectively form a flat ramp surface; and a stair configuration in which the tread surfaces collectively form a staircase-like structure. A changeover mechanism selectively retains the convertible dock ramp in the ramp configuration or the stair configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen A. Carrigan
  • Publication number: 20070101516
    Abstract: A convertible dock ramp has an upper end pivotally mounted to a mounting structure, and a lower end resting on a second structure. The dock ramp includes a pair of spaced-apart side frames each including upper and lower rails; and a plurality of steps each including a tread surface and a bottom surface connected by spaced-apart curved front and rear surfaces. The steps are pivotally mounted between the side frames such that the tread surfaces remain substantially parallel to each other as the side frames pivot. The steps are pivotable between: a ramp configuration in which the tread surfaces collectively form a flat ramp surface; and a stair configuration in which the tread surfaces collectively form a staircase-like structure. A changeover mechanism selectively retains the convertible dock ramp in the ramp configuration or the stair configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen Carrigan
  • Patent number: 7159261
    Abstract: A convertible dock ramp has an upper end for being pivotally mounted to a mounting structure, and a lower end for resting on a second structure. The convertible dock ramp includes a pair of spaced-apart side frames each including upper and lower rails; and a plurality of steps each including a tread surface. The steps are pivotally mounted between the side frames such that the tread surfaces remain substantially parallel to each other as the side frames pivot about the upper end. The steps are pivotable between: a ramp configuration in which the tread surfaces collectively form a substantially flat ramp surface; and a stair configuration in which the tread surfaces collectively form a staircase-like structure. A changeover mechanism selectively retains the convertible dock ramp in the ramp configuration or the stair configuration. A safety stair tread deflects upward as needed to prevent trapping a user's foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen A. Carrigan
  • Publication number: 20050235437
    Abstract: A convertible dock ramp has an upper end for being pivotally mounted to a mounting structure, and a lower end for resting on a second structure. The convertible dock ramp includes a pair of spaced-apart side frames each including upper and lower rails; and a plurality of steps each including a tread surface. The steps are pivotally mounted between the side frames such that the tread surfaces remain substantially parallel to each other as the side frames pivot about the upper end. The steps are pivotable between: a ramp configuration in which the tread surfaces collectively form a substantially flat ramp surface; and a stair configuration in which the tread surfaces collectively form a staircase-like structure. A changeover mechanism selectively retains the convertible dock ramp in the ramp configuration or the stair configuration. A safety stair tread deflects upward as needed to prevent trapping a user's foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventor: Stephen Carrigan