AU2021202155A1

AU2021202155A1 - Vehicle recovery ladder

Info

Publication number: AU2021202155A1
Application number: AU2021202155A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bradley Mccarthy
Original assignee: Maxtrax Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Maxtrax Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-08
Filing date: 2021-04-08
Publication date: 2021-10-28

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle recovery ladder. The ladder includes a body, and traction members for extending from the body. The ladder also includes photoluminescence. Advantageously, the ladder provides passive illumination by virtue of the photoluminescence which is charged by a light source (e.g. vehicle headlights) and passively discharges in the dark. The illuminated ladder may be easier to locate at night whereby detection in low lighting conditions, and particularly at night, is assured in the event of poor lighting. 1/1 r e8 A C1 CU 0 a a C-4 0C CC CC

Description

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[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle recovery ladder. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles invariably become stuck in sand and mud. Traditionally, shovels were used to dig and extricate stuck 4WD vehicles. Alternatively, timber could be jammed beneath tyres in an attempt to gain more wheel traction.

[0004] A known vehicle recovery ladder disclosed in AU 2010100831 provides improved traction when extricating vehicles. Advantageously, the ladder is light-weight being molded from polymeric material and includes traction members to assist the wheel in climbing out of the mire. However, the Applicant has perceived that the vehicle recovery ladder can be difficult to locate at night.

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved vehicle recovery ladder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle recovery ladder including: a body; traction members for extending from the body; and photoluminescence.

[0007] Advantageously, the ladder provides passive illumination by virtue of the photoluminescence which is charged by a light source (e.g. vehicle headlights) and passively discharges in the dark. The illuminated ladder may be easier to locate at night whereby detection in low lighting conditions, and particularly at night, is assured in the event of poor lighting.

[0008] Preferably, the photoluminescence is not a coating but is dispersed throughout the ladder. The photoluminescence may be mixed throughout the ladder. The ladder may include an overall photoluminescence between 0.25% and 20%. Alternatively, the photoluminescence may be a coating.

[0009] The photoluminescence may take the form of a photoluminescent luminous pigment "master batch", which may contain between 5% and 65% photoluminescent compound. The master batch may be incorporated within a plastic carrier which matches the intended base material forming the ladder.

[00010] The ladder may include polymeric material (e.g. elastomer, polyurethane, thermoplastic, nylon). The ladder may be molded. The ladder may be injection molded.

[00011] Alternatively, the body and the traction members may be formed separately. The traction members may be releasably fastened to the body.

[00012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portion of a vehicle recovery ladder, the vehicle recovery ladder including a body and traction members for extending from the body, the portion including photoluminescence.

[00013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a vehicle recovery ladder, the method involving applying photoluminescence to or within a polymer.

[00014] The step of applying may involve adding photoluminescence within the polymer. The overall photoluminescence of the ladder may be between 0.25% and 20%.

[00015] The step of adding may involve dispersing the photoluminescence throughout the polymer. The dispersing may involve mixing the photoluminescence throughout the polymer. The mixing may occur prior to forming (e.g. molding) the ladder containing the photoluminescence. Alternatively, the adding may occur during forming of the ladder containing the photoluminescence.

[00016] The method may include the step of heating the polymer and/or photoluminescence. The ladder may be injection molded with the polymer and/or photoluminescence heated to between 200 to 2500 C.

[00017] The method may involve cooling the polymer and/or photoluminescence. The cooling may be controlled.

[00018] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00019] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00020] Figure 1a is a plan view of a vehicle ladder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00021] Figure 1b is a side sectional view of the vehicle ladder of Figure 1a; and

[00022] Figure 1c is a side view of the vehicle ladder of Figure 1a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle recovery ladder 100 as shown in Figure 1. The molded ladder includes an elongate body 102, and traction members 104 that extend from the body 104.

[00024] The vehicle recovery ladder 100 also includes photoluminescence. Advantageously, the ladder 100 provides passive illumination by virtue of the photoluminescence which is charged by a light source (e.g. vehicle headlights) and passively discharges in the dark. The illuminated ladder may be easier to locate at night whereby detection in low lighting conditions, and particularly at night, is assured in the event of poor lighting. Ladders mounted to a vehicle also provide increased visibility of the vehicle at night.

[00025] Preferably, the photoluminescence is not a coating but is mixed and dispersed throughout the ladder 100. The ladder 100 includes an overall photoluminescence between 0.25% and 20% which can be varied to alter the illumination intensity and the cost of the ladder 100, in turn, dependent upon the comparatively high cost of the photoluminescence. The photoluminescence can take the form of material disclosed in US8801967.

[00026] The photoluminescence can take the form of a photoluminescent luminous pigment "master batch", which contains between 5% and 65% photoluminescent compound. The master batch is incorporated within a plastic carrier which matches the intended base material forming the ladder 100. The ladder base material may include polymeric material (e.g. elastomer, polyurethane, thermoplastic, nylon). The ladder 100 is molded, and preferably injection molded as described in detail below.

[00027] A method for manufacturing the vehicle recovery ladder 100 is now briefly described below.

[00028] The granular photoluminescence is added and mixed throughout the polymer (master batch incorporated within plastic carrier) so as to be evenly dispersed in the resultant mixture.

[00029] Next, the mixture is heated to between 200 to 250C for injection molding.

[00030] Next, the ladder 100 is formed by injection molding the heated mixture.

[00031] Next, the ladder 100, including polymer and photoluminescence, is cooled in a controlled manner to harden.

[00032] Careful control must be taken with the temperatures during the thermoplastic formation process using the photoluminescent heated admixture. Excess temperatures during fixture formation, or overly rapid cooling rates (in ambient surrounds) can lead to poor product development resulting in material and performance deficiencies. Rapid cooling is however generally desirable for providing a clean injection molded finish so a balance is required.

[00033] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00034] In one embodiment, the photoluminescence is a coating (e.g. lacquer or paint) spray applied to the ladder 100.

[00035] In one embodiment, the body 102 and the traction members 104 are formed separately. The traction members 104 are releasably fastened to the body 102. In this manner only one portion of the vehicle recovery ladder 100, namely the body 102 or at least one traction member 104, include the photoluminescence.

[00036] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00037] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A vehicle recovery ladder including: a body; traction members for extending from the body; and photoluminescence.

2. A vehicle recovery ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photoluminescence is not a coating but is dispersed throughout at least a portion of the ladder.

3. A vehicle recovery ladder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the photoluminescence is mixed throughout the ladder.

4. A vehicle recovery ladder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the portion includes an overall photoluminescence between 0.25% and 20%.

5. A vehicle recovery ladder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the portion includes at least some of the traction members.

6. A vehicle recovery ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photoluminescence is a coating.

7. A vehicle recovery ladder as claimed in claim 6, wherein the coating is applied to at least the traction members.

8. A vehicle recovery ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photoluminescence takes the form of a photoluminescent luminous pigment master batch, which preferably contains between 5% and 65% photoluminescent compound.

9. A vehicle recovery ladder as claimed in claim 8, wherein the master batch is incorporated within a plastic carrier which matches the intended base material forming the ladder.

10. A vehicle recovery ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ladder includes polymeric material, such as elastomer, polyurethane, thermoplastic, and/or nylon.

11. A vehicle recovery ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ladder, body and/or traction members are molded, preferably injection molded.

12. A vehicle recovery ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body and the traction members are formed separately.

13. A vehicle recovery ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the traction members are releasably fastened to the body.

14. A portion of a vehicle recovery ladder, the vehicle recovery ladder including a body and traction members for extending from the body, the portion including photoluminescence.

15. A portion as claimed in claim 14, being a traction member of the vehicle recovery ladder.

16. A method for manufacturing a vehicle recovery ladder, the method involving applying photoluminescence to or within a polymer.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the step of applying involves adding photoluminescence within the polymer, the overall photoluminescence of the ladder preferably being between 0.25% and 20%.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the step of adding involves dispersing the photoluminescence throughout the polymer, the dispersing involving mixing the photoluminescence throughout the polymer, the mixing occurring prior to forming or molding the ladder containing the photoluminescence.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the step of adding occurs during forming of the ladder containing the photoluminescence.

20. A method as claimed in claim 16, further including the steps of heating the polymer and/or photoluminescence, and cooling the polymer and/or photoluminescence.

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