A lightweight universal panel mat (100, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 1100, 1500, 1800, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020) made of plastic or elastomeric material and having a first section that provides a relatively flat, textured or structured top surface to facilitate movement over the mat and a second section having geometry that includes a plurality of cells having top surfaces that support the first section. The panel mats have first, second, third and fourth sides (110,120,135,145) that are configured to matingly engage or connect to the second, third, fourth and first sides, respectively. The connection can be by insertion or snap-locking of one side to another, or by the use of fastening elements that more securely holds the sides together. Thus, similarly configured panel mats can be connected by interlocking to form a temporary support surface, deck, walkway or roadway. Additional side ramps (2030) and adapters (2050) can be used to facilitate installation of the mats (2005, 2010, 2015, 2020) and access to the upper surfaces of the joined mats.

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.

A modular system includes a post and first and second rail segments. Each of the first and second rail segments includes a tube defining a substantially hollow interior with an internal surface and an external surface and a web connected to the internal surfaces of the tube and extending across the hollow interior thereof. The web includes at least one screw boss configured for receipt of a fastener to enable engagement of the rail segment with the post.

In a general aspect, a mat is disclosed for forming a transition between two surfaces of different elevation. The mat includes a carpeted layer secured to a foam layer. The foam layer includes first, second, third and fourth sides that define a perimeter of the foam layer. The foam layer also includes first and second channels extending in-plane through the foam layer from the first side to the second side. The first and second channels are configured to allow the mat to fold around a first folding axis into a folded position. The foam layer additionally includes relief cuts extending in-plane through the foam layer from the third side to the fourth side. The relief cuts are configured to allow the mat to fold around a second folding axis into a rolled position. A fifth side of the foam layer is mated to the carpeted layer, and a sixth side of the foam layer defines an interior boundary of the mat when the mat is in the folded position.

The present invention provides a ramp for assisting the loading of a vehicle onto a rollback car carrier or the like. The ramp including a front ramp assembly, a middle ramp assembly rotatably connected to the front ramp assembly, a rear ramp assembly rotatably connected to the middle ramp assembly, and a trailer abutment section positioned adjacent to the rear ramp assembly.

A pet staircase may be formed by joining modular units to each other in succession and that overlie a household staircase. They are retained in position over the household staircase. Each modular unit has stairs and/or ramps. The treads may be adjusted so that they all are parallel to each other and extend horizontally.

A hinge system (1, 1a) for use with a lightweight, portable gangway (100), the hinge system (1a) comprising at least three plates (2a,2b,2c), a bar (4) and a washer (6), wherein a first pair of the plates (2a,2b) are attached at either side of a lower surface (106) of a first section (102a) of the gangway (100) and the other plate (2c) is attached at approximately the centre of a second section (102b) of the gangway (100), so that when the sections (102a,102b) are brought towards each other, the first pair of the plates (2a,2b) are aligned with the other plate (2c).

A portable wheelchair ramp assembly includes a ramp that is removably coupled to an armrest of a wheelchair such that the ramp is accessible to a user in the wheelchair. The ramp has an axle slot therein to accommodate a wheel axle of the wheelchair when the ramp is removably coupled to the wheelchair. The ramp is positionable to extend across uneven terrain to facilitate the wheelchair to cross the uneven terrain. A plurality of engagements is each coupled to the ramp and each of the engagements engages an arm rest on the wheelchair for storing the ramp. A plurality of brackets is each coupled to the arm rest of the wheelchair. Each of the brackets releasably engages a respective one of the engagements for retaining the ramp on the wheelchair for storage.

A ramp transportation system for a wheelchair enables transportation, deployment, and retrieval of a portable ramp by a single wheelchair occupant in the absence of external aid. The device comprises: a platform, configured to support the width of a wheelchair for crossing the platform, having a sufficient stiffness to support a wheelchair and occupant load; a lifting mechanism interface in the platform, disposed at least near each end of the ramp, configured to support cantilever lifting forces on the ramp; a lifting element, configured to engage the lifting mechanism interface and to apply a force to raise and lower the platform between a raised, stowed position and a lowered position, suitable for traversal; and a motor, configured to supply sufficient force on the lifting element to raise and lower the platform.

A signal is sent into a first surface of a structure at an angle relative to the first surface of the structure using a transducer array, wherein the structure has a second surface with a portion non-parallel to the first surface. An ultrasound response signal is formed at the portion of the second surface of the structure. The ultrasound response signal is received at the transducer array.