Adaptive ramp for accessing an enclosed ice surface

摘要

An ice access ramp assembly for accessing an ice surface includes a central bridge section and a pair of ramp sections. Each ramp section is pivotably mounted to the central bridge section for movement between a folded configuration and an extended configuration. The ramp sections and the central bridge section have surfaces formed of a low friction material. When the ramp assembly is extended, a first ramp section provides access from an outer floor and enables a sled skater to move up the first ramp section and onto the central bridge section. The sled skater can then move from the central bridge area onto the second ramp section, which provides access onto the ice surface. When not in use, the ramp assembly can be folded for storage and transport. The ramp assembly may include wheels that facilitate transport of the ice access ramp assembly over a floor or other surface.

主权项

1. A method of accessing an ice surface over a step from an outside surface, comprising the acts of:
providing a ramp assembly having a central bridge section, a first ramp arrangement having a first sled support surface and a second ramp arrangement having a second sled support surface, wherein the central bridge section includes a pair of spaced apart support members and an upper sled support surface extending therebetween, wherein the central bridge section defines a void area below the upper sled support surface and between the support members; positioning the central bridge section over the step such that the step is received within the void area, wherein the pair of spaced apart support members are located one on either side of the step and the upper sled support surface of the central bridge section is located over the step; placing the first ramp arrangement on a first side of the central bridge section on the outside surface and supporting the first ramp arrangement on the outside surface and on the central bridge section; and placing the second ramp arrangement on a second side of the central bridge section on the ice surface and supporting the second ramp arrangement on the ice surface and the central bridge section; wherein, when the central bridge section is positioned over the step, the first ramp arrangement is positioned over and supported by the ice surface on the first side of the central bridge section, and the second ramp arrangement is positioned over and supported by a floor outside the step on the second side of the central bridge section, a sled skater advances a sled between the ice surface and the floor outside the step using the upper sled support surface of the central bridge section and the first and second sled support surfaces of the first and second ramp arrangements, respectively.