I have bought a pair of Harbor Freight steel ramps ( item #  
55424-5VGA ) that will support 1000 pounds ( say the specs ).    They  
are 6 feet by 228.6 mm.  ( Ever since Russell showed me how, I now  
mix measurement units )    Anyway, I want to attach a beam to the  
bottom of each ramp that lays flat in storage and swings down in use  
to give each ramp more ability to support mid-span weight.

I can think of two questions.......
Q1 :  What would be a low cost material that is strong and  
lightweight ?  easy to cut ?
Q2 :  What is the optimal shape for such a beam ?  a triangle ? some  
kind of hyperbolic thing-a-ma-jig ?

Update:  I wrote up a concept paper on this idea.  It is located at
http://oh-dog.com/ramp/concept.pdf
Take a look and tell me if I have I fluffed the math or structural  
concepts.

Thanks
CC

If I make a zillion money units off this idea, proceeds will go to  
the old - age - engineers fund.


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