AU714138B3 - Access method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION PETTY PATENT Invention Title: ACCESS METHOD AND APPARATUS Name of Applicant: ACCESS DESIGN AND INSPECTION CONSULTANTS PTY LTD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: IP Austral Documents rece'v- on M MAR 19 Batch No ~II~_CII1IXI_)__L__Il~il_-- Illllllillt~ l~~ 2 ACCESS METHOD AND APPARATUS The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for providing improved access to buildings, structures or like edifices, including shops, offices and the like, and particularly to a method and apparatus for providing improved access to buildings for disabled, incapacitated or mobility-impaired people. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing improved access to a building by disabled people in wheelchairs or other lightweight wheeled vehicles such as electric scooters, ride-on vehicles or the like. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for using a relocatable or translocatable, temporarily positionable ramp for attaching to the riser of a step of a building to provide improved access for disabled persons or persons pushing wheeled conveyances such as prams, trolleys or the like so that such people may gain access to a wider variety of establishments by using the ramp to negotiate the step.

The present invention finds particular application in providing a lightweight, portable or translocatable ramp which is adapted to be locked into position in a support bracket that is securely attached to the riser of a step of a building to provide safe and secure anchoring of the ramp so that disabled people may travel over the step using the ramp.

Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to a lightweight, portable ramp and H: \Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP2654-access.doc 30/03/99 ll~ 3 bracket arrangement, it is to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not restricted to the described embodiment, but rather, the present invention is more extensive so as to include other arrangements of the ramp and/or bracket, and to the use of the ramp and/or bracket in other applications, including modifications and variations thereof.

The present invention finds particular application in providing access for wheelchair users, people propelling prams and trolleys, and others who find difficulty in gaining access to buildings having one or more steps or other raised barriers that first must be negotiated before gaining access to the building.

It is to be noted that although the present invention will be described with reference to buildings or shops, this description is merely for the sake of clarity and ease of understanding. The use of terms such as "building" or "shop" is not meant to be limiting to the scope of the present invention in any way. Such terms include within their meaning any structure having a step or raised barrier making access to the mobility impaired difficult, such as museums, monuments, recreational areas and transport systems, including bridging the threshold between platforms and train carriages and the like.

For many people with a disability and others having mobility impairment, including people pushing prams, delivery trolleys and the like, the existing environment presents many barriers which prevent easy access to buildings and the like in many situations. Such situations are encountered when disabled persons are trying to conduct the normal tasks of living, such as banking, shopping, and visiting service providers including both private and government service providers and the like. Many of the barriers exist in the form of steps or other raised H: \Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP2654-access.doc 30/03/99 _~11-1111---_ 4 sections which exist throughout the built environment, such as for example at the entrances of buildings, within buildings, and when moving between different levels within a building.

The problem of limited access is especially encountered when shopping in traditional strip shopping areas which have traditionally been built along major access roads or thoroughfares. When these buildings were constructed, some as long ago as 100 years or more, because of problems of wet weather, drainage, security and the like, the buildings were often built on a foundation deliberately provided with one or more steps to form a barrier to entering the building. At the time of construction, no thought was given to the plight of people requiring the use of mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walking frames, crutches or the like, or to people pushing prams, shopping trolleys, delivery trolleys or similar, regarding access to the building over the steps. In times past, putting a step at the entrance of a building was considered desirable for reasons other than ease of access. Also, because so few mobility impaired persons required access to such buildings, there was little impact on the population in having the steps as barriers. However, times have changed.

In today's society, more and more people with a disability are living within the community, more or less independently, in contrast to the past when people having a disability were kept away from society by being housed in institutions. Such people did not have and were not expected to have access to the outside world. In today's society, people with disabilities are encouraged to live more independently within their local communities, and are in fact doing so. However, they are frequently confronted with physical barriers and obstacles. Thus, there is a need to provide improved access for such people in a greater range of environments.

H: \Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP2654-access.doc 30/03/99

I

5 Also, due to advances in modern medicines and improved technology, the population generally, including disabled people, are living longer. It is estimated that approximately 20% of Australians at present have some form of disability which reduces their mobility and chances of access to many locations. Recent surveys have shown that there is an increased incidence of disability and handicap in the population as a whole. Thus, there is a larger number of people requiring improved access to buildings and the like.

Accordingly, there is an increasing need for a method and apparatus for providing improved access to buildings having steps which can accommodate the needs of a greater range of disabled people and people pushing prams, shopping trolleys or similar, including people confined to wheelchairs or relying on other lightweight vehicles such as electric scooters, ride-on scooters or the like for mobility.

Generally, improvement of access to the built environment can be accomplished in two ways. One way is to structurally alter the environment to provide in-building ramps, walkways, paths or the like in order to provide a smooth transition from one level to another, thereby making the premises more accessible. However, such a solution is in most cases extremely costly and in many cases it is impossible to achieve because of the design and location of the buildings.

Another way is to provide ramps from existing footpaths or pathways to the top of the step or steps at the entrance to the building or between different levels within the building. However, in such situations merely providing a ramp to the level of the step or bridging the threshold between levels is impractical and potentially dangerous since the ramp can slip or be dislodged from the higher level unless the ramp is securely anchored in place.

H: \Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP2654-access.doc 30/03/99 6 Hithertobefore, methods and means of anchoring the ramps have not been entirely successful since existing systems have suffered from one or more disadvantages or drawbacks.

One drawback is that existing anchoring systems have not permitted the means for retaining the bracket in position for retaining the ramp to be permanently mounted with respect to the step, in an unobtrusive manner and without hindering access to regular able-bodied pedestrians. Some retaining means have actually prevented access or have resulted in injuries to persons accidentally tripping over them.

Accrdingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which will allow greater flexibility in providing disabled people and other mobility impaired people with improved access to buildings or the like.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for providing improved access to a building having a barrier, including a support bracket having a first portion for fixedly attaching the bracket to the barrier and a second portion located offset to the first portion, so that when the first portion is attached to the barrier the second portion is spaced from the barrier defining a gap, said apparatus further comprising a ramp having a retaining means for insertion into the receiving gap to securely locate the ramp in use so that when the retaining means is located in the receiving gap the ramp provides access to and/or over the top of the barrier.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for improving access past or over E: \LColes\Keep\Speci\22539.99-amendments doc 26/10/99 7 a barrier, including a support member having a first portion and a second portion and a spanning member having a retaining means, such that when the first portion of the support means is fixedly connected to the barrier the second portion is spaced from the barrier to define a receiving means for receiving the locating means of the spanning member to securely position the spanning member with respect to the barrier, thereby providing access over or past the barrier.

According to still further aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for providing improved access to a building having a step, comprising a support bracket having a first part for fixedly attaching the bracket to the step and a second part located offset to the first part so that when the first part is attached to the step the second part is spaced from the step defining a gap, said apparatus further comprising a ramp having a retaining means for insertion into the receiving gap to securely locate the ramp in use so that when the retaining means is located in the receiving gap the ramp provides access to and/or over the top of the step.

According to the present invention there is also provided a method of improving the access to a building having a step comprising securely attaching a first portion of a support bracket to the step so that a second portion of the support bracket is spaced from the step to define a receiving space, and locating a retaining means of a ramp in the receiving space, such that the ramp extends to the top of the step thereby providing improved access to and/or over the step.

Typically, the barrier is a step or a multiple of steps or similar discrete difference in levels of a building.

Alternatively, the barrier is a threshold, such as for example the space between the edge of a platform of a H: \Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP2654-access.doc 30/03/99 8 railway station and the doorway of a carriage of a train or similar.

Typically, the support member is substantially elongate, extending in length substantially the width of the barrier or obstacle to which it is to be secured. More typically, the support member is a support bracket. Even more typically, the first portion of the support bracket is a flange, edge or similar which is securely fastenable to the riser of a step by suitable fastening means, such as for example a dynabolt, masonry anchor or similar.

Typically, the second portion of the support bracket is also a flange, edge or similar which is located offset to or out of the plane of the first portion. More typically, the first portion is connected to the second portion by a central portion. Even more typically, the first and second portions extend in substantially spaced apart parallel planes.

Typically, the support bracket is in the shape of two right angled flange members joined together in opposed facing relationship along the central longitudinal axis of the central portion of the bracket located intermediate the first and second portions.

Typically, the support bracket may be a relatively long single bracket or the bracket may comprise two or more separate bracket members locatable at spaced apart locations substantially over the width of the barrier or obstacle.

Typically, the spanning member is a ramp for spanning the distance between the two levels. More typically, the ramp may be a single ramp or may be two or more separate ramps locatable in spaced apart relationship, typically horizontally spaced apart relationship. More typically, H: \Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP2654-access.doc 30/03/99 9 the ramp may be two or more channel members spaced apart from each other allowing traversing by a wheeled vehicle.

Even more typically, the channel members are spaced at a distance corresponding to the track of the wheeled vehicle.

Typically, the wheeled vehicle is a wheelchair, electric scooter (either 3 or 4 wheeled), pram, shopping trolley, delivery trolley or the like. More typically, the spaced apart wheels of the wheeled vehicle can traverse along one of the respective channel members.

Typically, the surface of the ramp is a non-slip type surface or similar which provides increased grip, traction or similar for wheeled conveyances traversing the ramp. In one embodiment the ramp surface is provided with raised portions in a preselected pattern, such as for example, in a checkerboard pattern or similar.

Typically, each ramp is supportable by one or more support brackets. Typically, two or more ramps may be supported by the same bracket.

Typically, the retaining means of the ramp is a lip, flange or edge. Alternatively, the retaining means is a pin or a plurality of pins. The lip etc or pins are receivable in the slot or space defined between the second part of the bracket and riser of the step.

Typically, the ramp is provided with a side wall or flange to prevent the wheels or otherwise from slipping off the edge or travelling over the edge of the ramp in use of the ramp. More typically, the side wall is a N-shaped channel located on either side of the ramp and extending upwardly from the plant of the surface of the ramp.

Typically, the ramp is hinged about its longitudinal axis and/or about its lateral axis so as to be foldable upon itself for storage, ease of handling, ease of use in H: \Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP2654-access. doc 30/03/99 10 locating the retaining means in the receiving means, or the like. Typically, the ramp is made from two or more panels hingedly connected together so that the ramp can be folded for ease of transport and/or storage.

Typically, the ramp may be made from any suitable or desirable material including aluminium, mild steel, or composite materials or laminated materials which are light in weight yet strong enough to support the wheeled vehicle and occupants and/or contents.

Typically, the ramp is able to overcome a step or steps of up to 190 mm with a maximum gradient of 1:8.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of one form of the ramp of the present invention located in situ in one form of the support bracket which is attached to the riser of a step; Figure 2 is a top perspective view of one form of the support bracket of the present invention attached to the riser of a step in a position ready to receive the ramp; Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3 to 3 of Figure 1 showing the locating means of the ramp received in the gap between the support bracket and the riser of the step.

In the figures there is shown a device made in accordance with the present invention, generally denoted as 2, comprising a generally elongate support bracket 10 and a ramp H:\Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP2654-access.doc 30/03/99 11 With particular reference to Figure 2, support bracket comprises a lower portion in the form of an elongate flange 12, extending along the entire length of bracket provided with a number of spaced apart apertures 14 for receiving therethrough suitable fasteners, such as dynabolts 16, masonry anchors or the like for securely attaching the bracket 10 horizontally to the riser 18 of a step 20 of a building or other suitable substrate.

Although three apertures 14 having dynabolts 16 received therethrough are shown, it is to be noted that any number of fasteners may be used to secure the bracket to the step.

Additionally, any other suitable means may be used to attach the bracket to the step.

Bracket 10 is provided with an elongate central portion 22, also extending along the entire length of the bracket, which central portion 22 is arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to first portion 12. Central portion 22 may take any number of different forms or shapes. In particular, portion 22 may be provided with drainage slots, apertures or the like or with clearing holes to prevent rainwater or similar, debris, rubbish or the like from accumulating in and on the bracket, particularly being trapped on the top surface of central portion 22 between the top portion of the bracket and the riser of the step.

Bracket 10 further comprises an upper elongate portion 26 which extends along the width of bracket 10 and extends substantially perpendicularly to central portion 22 so as to be substantially parallel but offset to lower portion 12. As portion 26 is offset to portion 12 when the bracket is located with portion 12 abutting against the riser 18 of step 20, there is a space 28 defined between the inner surface of upper portion 26 and the top portion of riser 18. Space 28 is for receiving a suitable retaining means H: \Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP2654-access.doc 30/03/99 12 therein to securely retain ramp 30 in place as will be described more fully below.

It is to be noted that bracket 10 may take a number of different forms or configurations whilst still being able to work effectively, such as the angle between the central portion 22 and the lower and upper portions not being substantially right angles, but being greater than about 900, such as for example about 1350.

With particular reference to Figure i, ramp 30 comprises a load bearing ramp surface 32 over which a lightweight wheeled vehicle or conveyance can traverse to mount the step and travel along the surface of the top of the step.

The surface is arranged as a non-slip or friction surface such as for example in a chequerboard pattern of ridges, troughs and the like. A side wall 34 is provided along each longitudinal edge of ramp 30 to prevent the wheelchair from inadvertently slipping off the side of the ramp. A retaining means in the form of a lip, flange or similar 36 is provided along one transverse edge of the ramp. Lip 36 extends substantially downwardly from the undersurface of ramp 30 at a suitable angle. The suitable angle is selected so that the ramp is securely received in space 28 and in accordance with the desired angle in inclination of ramp 30 in order that the gradient of the ramp is in accordance with regulations governing the use of ramps and the angle is not too large to hinder access by wheelchairbound people.

Although a single ramp 30 is shown in Figure 1 as spanning the entire width of the step as required, it is to be noted that two or more separate smaller width ramps may be provided in place of the single large width ramp. In particular, two or three separate channel members spaced apart at a distance in accordance with the track of a wheelchair or similar may be provided. In this case, two H: \Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP2654-access.doc 30/03/99 13 or three separate, spaced apart, smaller width brackets could be used rather than a single wide bracket.

Further, it is to be noted that pins could be used in place of lip 36 to securely anchor the ramp in the bracket.

The ramp 30 may be made from any suitable material.

However, it is preferred that the ramp be made from lightweight material that is also strong, to assist in handling and storing the ramp, such as mild steel, aluminium, plastics material, composite materials, laminated materials or the like.

Optionally, the ramp 30 may be hinged, either about its central longitudinal axis or about its central transverse axis. Alternatively, the ramp may be made in the form of two or more panels hingedly connected to each other to allow the panels to be folded upon themselves to assist in storage and handling of the ramp.

In use of the device of the present invention, the step, say, of a shop is modified by the elongate bracket 10 being located in situ against the riser 18 of a step 20 at an appropriate height by drilling appropriate bores and placing dynabolts in the bores to which the lower part 12 of bracket 10 can be connected. The dynabolts are fastened to secure the bracket in place. The bracket, being relatively small in width, is unobtrusive and does not hinder normal access by able-bodied pedestrians when it is located abutting against the riser of the step. The bracket 10 remains in place at all times in readiness for use until the ramp is required, whereupon the ramp is temporarily located in position.

When a wheelchair-bound person desires access to the shop having the step which has been modified by the addition of bracket 10, the shopkeeper or other member of staff is H: \Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP2654acces doc 30/03/99 14 alerted to the intention of the wheelchair-bound person to enter the shop, so that the ramp 30 which is stored in a convenient location within the shop can be placed in the bracket. Ramp 30 is positioned so that lip 36 is received in space 28 whereupon the ramp is secured in place without any chance that it could slip or otherwise be dislodged from the top of the step. After the ramp 30 is no longer required for access by the wheelchair, it may simply be lifted from bracket 10 whereupon lip 36 is disengaged from space 28 and placed in storage within the shop ready for future use.

Advantages of the present invention include the following: Benefits of using the ramp and bracket arrangement of the present invention include that the support bracket is unobtrusive, permanently fixed in place to the riser of a step, and does not hinder normal pedestrian traffic or access to the building to which the bracket is fixed. The ramp provides the major benefit of providing instant access to people with disabilities and others, such as delivery personnel who would also benefit from a ramped entrance when the ramp is put into place.

The device of the present invention solves access problems for people with disabilities and others of impaired mobility by providing a very costeffective and safe solution. Once the ramp is in place with its lip in the receiving space of the bracket, it is prevented from moving or being accidentally dislodged due to the positive locking action of the lip.

The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from H: \Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP265s4access .doc 30/03/99 I 15 the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features herein disclosed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope.

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Claims (3)

1. An apparatus for providing improved access to a building having a barrier, including a support bracket having a first portion for fixedly attaching the bracket to the barrier and a second portion located offset to the first portion, so that when the first portion is attached to the barrier the second portion is spaced from the barrier defining a gap, said apparatus further comprising a ramp having a retaining means for insertion into the receiving gap to securely locate the ramp in use so that when the retaining means is located in the receiving gap thderamp provides access to and/or over the top of the barrier.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the first portion of the support bracket is securably fastenable to the barrier, said barrier being the riser of a step of a building, and said second portion is a flange substantially offset from the first portion, said flange being located in a plane which is substantially parallel to but spaced apart from the plane of the first portion so as to define the gap between the flange and the riser.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 in which the support bracket is in the form of two right-angled flanged members joined together in opposed E:\LC1eS\Keep\Speci%22539.99-amendment.doc 26/10/99 17 facing relationship along the central longitudinal axis of the central portion of the bracket wherein the central portion is located intermediate the first and second portions. Dated this 3 0 th day of March, 1999 ACCESS DESIGN AND INSPECTION CONSULTANTS PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia H: \Sigrid\keep\patents\cap-PP2654-access doc 30/03/99