EP3134591B1 - Device for helping a vehicle to negotiate an obstacle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for assisting the crossing of one or more steps or a threshold by a vehicle, in particular for persons with reduced mobility who move by means of a wheelchair, or for people moving a wheeled cart for the transportation of objects.

Such a device is described in the document US 2002/0110444 .

It is common for a shop or business, or even an entrance to a residential complex, to have street access with one or more steps.

Such a threshold has a height generally from one to several tens of centimeters and is an obstacle often impassable for a person with reduced mobility or delivery carts.

Of course, this problem does not only concern external accesses and such steps may also exist within these spaces, especially in old buildings. You can also find these steps for access to terraces.

One solution to allow the crossing of such a step by a vehicle or wheeled trolley is to set up an access ramp.

A major constraint on the implementation of such a ramp is a lack of permanent encroachment on public roads, sidewalks and / or roadways, passageways, etc.

Indeed, although essential for a person with reduced mobility, their general rate of use remains relatively low. It is therefore appropriate to be able to release the passage when these ramps are not used.

To do this, retractable retractable ramp systems are known inside a box frame intended to be installed in the thickness of the step to be crossed.

In such a device, the ramp is housed inside said frame (or box) and is deployed in a direction substantially normal to the step to be crossed.

Such a device is described, for example, in the document FR 2 947 224 , in the name of the plaintiff.

A major concern of the plaintiff is to ensure a discreet integration of its device and to best preserve the aesthetics of the place. To this end, it may be desirable to install an extractable ramp device under a floor covering, in particular of the same nature as the surrounding ground, or under the existing floor covering.

This is, for example, particularly important for old buildings, historic sites, museums, luxury shops, etc.

The device is then covered with an additional thickness of soil, which thickness can reach several centimeters in the case of certain materials, in particular a marble slab or a stone cladding.

The applicant has found that, by design of the device, the retractable ramp is generally deployed in the upper limit of the frame and reaches the maximum substantially at an upper surface of said frame.

The additional floor covering therefore causes the presence of a projection which constitutes an additional obstacle for the vehicle. The plaintiff sought to facilitate the crossing.

The plaintiff was confronted with this problem and, rather than abandoning the principle of a discreet and aesthetic integration of its device, decided to remedy it.

There is therefore a need for a retractable ramp assistance device taking these constraints into account and making it possible at least partially to overcome these drawbacks.

The present invention proposes for this purpose a device for assisting the crossing of an obstacle by a wheeled vehicle, particularly for persons with reduced mobility.

The device is characterized in that it comprises a stationary frame and at least one extendable ramp according to an extraction stroke between a position retracted inside said frame and a position deployed outside said frame, said ramp having one end low end intended to abut against a ground and an opposite high end, the upper end being mechanically connected to at least one ramp lift lever, activatable by the movement of the ramp, causing an elevation of the upper end of said ramp on a portion of extraction end-stop, said lift lever being realized in the form of at least one foot pivotally mounted on the ramp between an inactive folded position, and an end position in which said foot supports at least in part the weight of the upper end of said ramp, said foot being elevating on a race portion adjacent to the final position.

By close to the final position is meant a running portion located closer to the final deployed position of the foot than the inactive folded position of said foot. In particular, said foot becomes elevated from its contact with the ground. The race portion close to the final position then refers to the portion of the race situated between the moment the foot makes contact with the ground and the moment when the foot reaches its final position.

Thus, by associating the ramp with an activated lift lever at the end of the extraction stroke of the ramp, a movement of extraction of the ramp, generally substantially horizontal, is transformed into a movement having a vertical component to raise the ramp. high end of said ramp. A single driving movement then makes it possible both to extract the ramp substantially horizontally and to raise the high end of the ramp.

The upper end of the ramp can be raised up to, if necessary, exceed the upper limit of the frame and level with a floor covering, or at least approaching it to minimize the jump.

The amplitude of the lever movement is determined according to the final height to be achieved.

The use of the lift lever in the form of a foot resting on the ground ensures a solid support of the ramp. In addition, once the boom is fully extended and raised, the lever foot is in a substantially vertical position for optimal support of the ramp and the vehicle to take it.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least one retaining link capable of being locked in translation relative to the frame at one end and at the foot by an opposite end located at a distance from the pivot point of said foot, said retaining link. ensuring the deployment of said foot and maintaining it in support against the lower ground on the end of extraction stroke portion. The retaining link may, for example, be attached substantially mid-height or one-third of said foot.

Advantageously, the foot is pivotally mounted against at least one elastic return member of the spiral spring type, tending to bring it back to the folded position.

The elastic return member thus ensures the return of the foot to its inactive folded position when storing the ramp, in particular in response to the release or release of the retaining link.

In a complementary manner, the elevator foot forms a main lift lever and the device comprises at least one secondary lift lever in the form of at least one inclined connecting rod comprising a first end mechanically linked to the upper end of the ramp and a second end guided inside the frame and maintained at a height less than the height of the first end, said connecting rod coming on a portion of the end of extraction stroke, bearing on a return piece mounted in the frame and causing a raising of the first end of the connecting rod and, consequently, of the upper end of the ramp.

The implementation of an inclined connecting rod makes it possible to produce a guide ramp ensuring the raising of the upper end of the ramp when said inclined piece is forced against the return piece.

According to a first variant embodiment, the return piece is a pad having an inclined contact surface.

According to a second variant embodiment, the return piece is a wheel. Advantageously complementary to the ramp has a portion of extraction stroke preceding the end of stroke portion ensuring the elevation, and wherein said ramp is adapted to come to rest on the wheel. Thus, the wheel has a dual support function facilitating the extraction of the boom and return part when interacting with the inclined rod.

Advantageously, the first end of the rod is pivotally connected to the ramp and in that the second end of the rod is connected to a pivotally guide member. Preferably, the first end of the connecting rod is connected to the ramp by a double ball joint, and in that the second end of the connecting rod is connected to a guide element by a double ball joint. Such links allow to accommodate the relative movements, including the change of inclination, between the ramp and the connecting rod during deployment or retraction.

Advantageously, the connection of the connecting rod on the ramp coincides substantially with a pivot axis of pivoting of the elevator foot. The transmission and the recovery of efforts by the foot are thus optimized.

Preferably, the secondary lift lever is activated before the elevator foot. The lift lever connecting rod thus makes it possible to start raising the ramp before the foot, forming the main lift lever, is activated.

According to a first variant embodiment, the device comprises at least one handle intended to allow manual drive of the ramp.

According to a second variant embodiment, alternative or complementary, the device comprises at least one drive motor mounted on at least one drive carriage connected to a connecting rod of the ramp and associated with a rack in the frame. If necessary, the inclined rod forming a secondary lever may advantageously be linked to the drive carriage serving as a guide means for said rod.

As indicated above, a single driving movement makes it possible both to extract the ramp substantially horizontally and to raise the high end of the ramp.

In the case of a manual drive, the pulling movement for extracting the ramp will also allow the high end to be raised at the end of the deployment stroke.

In the case of a motorized drive, the device allows the implementation of a single engine, which has significant advantages in terms of cost, weight, and control of the device.

Advantageously, the device comprises a maintenance slide supporting at least the guide rails of the ramp.

Indeed, due to the presence of the additional soil thickness above the device, the frame is no longer easily accessible directly from above said device. The use of an extractable drawer on the front allows easy removal of the internal elements of the device, to proceed to the necessary operations (parts replacement, adjustments, etc.) before putting the drawer back in place.

• La figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif selon l'invention encastré dans une marche, en configuration déployée.
• La figure 2 est une vue éclatée du dispositif de la figure 1, en configuration rétractée.
• La figure 3 est une vue de dessus du dispositif de la figure 1.
• Les figures 4a à 4f sont des vues schématiques de côté en coupe longitudinale selon l'axe V-V de la figure 3 montrant le dispositif à différentes étapes de déploiement / rangement de la rampe.
  • la figure 4a correspondant à une configuration initiale du dispositif, la rampe étant rangée à l'intérieur de celui-ci,
  • la figure 4b correspondant à une phase initiale de déploiement de la rampe avant activation des mécanismes de levier,
  • la figure 4c correspond au moment d'activation d'un premier mécanisme de levier, à savoir une bielle inclinée,
  • la figure 4d correspond à une phase intermédiaire après activation du premier mécanisme de levier et avant activation d'un deuxième mécanisme de levier,
  • la figure 4e correspond au moment d'activation du deuxième mécanisme de levier,
  • la figure 4f correspond au dispositif en configuration finale déployée avec la rampe en position relevée.
• Les figures 5a à 5f sont des vues agrandies de la zone A des figures 4a à 4f correspondantes.
• La figure 6 est une représentation de l'intérieur du dispositif de la figure 1, en configuration rétractée.
• La figure 7 est une représentation de l'intérieur du dispositif de la figure 1, en configuration déployée.
• La figure 8 est une représentation du dispositif de la figure 1 en configuration de maintenance.

The implementation of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the detailed description which is set out below with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• The figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention embedded in a step, in deployed configuration.
• The figure 2 is an exploded view of the device of the figure 1 , in retracted configuration.
• The figure 3 is a top view of the device of the figure 1 .
• The Figures 4a to 4f are schematic side views in longitudinal section along the VV axis of the figure 3 showing the device at different stages of deployment / storage of the ramp.
  • the figure 4a corresponding to an initial configuration of the device, the ramp being stored inside thereof,
  • the figure 4b corresponding to an initial phase of deployment of the ramp before activation of the lever mechanisms,
  • the figure 4c corresponds to the moment of activation of a first lever mechanism, namely an inclined rod,
  • the figure 4d corresponds to an intermediate phase after activation of the first lever mechanism and before activation of a second lever mechanism,
  • the figure 4e corresponds to the activation moment of the second lever mechanism,
  • the figure 4f corresponds to the device in final configuration deployed with the ramp in the raised position.
• The Figures 5a to 5f are enlarged views of area A of Figures 4a to 4f corresponding.
• The figure 6 is a representation of the interior of the device of the figure 1 , in retracted configuration.
• The figure 7 is a representation of the interior of the device of the figure 1 , in deployed configuration.
• The figure 8 is a representation of the device of the figure 1 in maintenance configuration.

An assistance device 1, an exemplary implementation of which is represented on the Figures 1 to 8 , is intended to allow the deployment of a retractable ramp 2 between a floor or lower floor 3 and a floor or upper floor 4, whose delimitation forms one or more steps 5 due to a difference in level between these two surfaces.

The device 1 aims to ensure more particularly the establishment of a retractable ramp having a slope of less than 20%, or even less than 15, 10 or 5% depending on regulatory or environmental constraints.

As explained above, this device 1 essentially, but not limited to, access to shops or businesses from the street that are frequently likely to have one or more steps.

In such a case, the lower floor 3 is constituted by a floor or sidewalk while the floor or upper floor 4 is constituted by the floor of the store or shop.

The device 1 is intended to be inserted or embedded in the upper ground 4, in front of the lower ground 3 at the access to be crossed.

The device 1 comprises a chassis 10 forming a box inside which is housed a deployable ramp 2 ( figures 2 , 4a , 5a , 6 ). At the service state ( figures 1 , 3 , 4f, 5f , 7 ) or deployed, the ramp 2 out of the frame 10 and protrudes from the step 5. The ramp 2 is thus retractable.

In order to preserve the aesthetics of the place and ensure a discreet integration, the device 1 is intended to be covered by a part of the upper ground 4 ( Figures 4a-4f , 5a-5f , 8 ; on the figure 1 the frame 10 is shown in transparency with dotted lines). As indicated above, covering the device 1 causes the formation of a projection relative to the chassis 10.

The frame 10 has a generally parallelepipedal general shape whose dimensions are adapted to the height of the step 5, the width of the access and the dimensions of the vehicle. For example, the frame 10 may have a height of the order of 10 to 50 centimeters allowing insertion in most floors and floors, such as a concrete slab, brick, or other. The frame 10 is further equipped with an upper wall 11 forming a lid. The frame 10 also comprises a bottom wall 12, side walls 13a, 13b and a rear wall 13c.

Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a front face 14 mounted movably to open in the frame 10 a passage for the extraction of the ramp 2. To do this, the front face 14 is in the form of a pivoting flap articulated along an upper edge of the frame 10. More specifically, the front face 14 is hinged to a front end flange 111 of the cover 11. The flange 111 is square to the cover 11 and extends substantially over the the thickness of the upper soil 4 covering the device 1.

The extractable ramp 2 has an end 21, front, low, tapered, intended to bear against the ground or bottom floor 3 and an end 22, rear, high, opposite. The ramp 2 is deployable according to an extraction stroke (arrow figure 4a ) between a retracted position inside the frame 10 ( Figure 4a, 5a ) and a deployed position outside the frame 10 ( figure 4f, 5f ).

The ramp 2 has a rolling upper surface. The ramp 2 is also equipped with lateral wheel guides 2c. More particularly, the ramp has a welded structure.

According to the particular embodiment shown, the ramp 2 is made in the form of two half-ramps 2a, 2b. In the case of such a ramp 2 made of several ramp elements, the ramp elements can be extracted independently of each other or simultaneously, by common or separate drive means. A ramp 2 made of several elements also allows a better consideration of a possible tilt of the lower ground.

Advantageously complementary, and as visible especially on the figure 8 , the interior elements of the frame 10, which will be described infra, are installed on a maintenance drawer 110 extractable by the front face 14 of the device 1. This drawer 110 allows easy access to the inner elements of the device 1, especially when operations of maintenance are necessary.

The drawer 110 comprises a bottom 112, a rear wall 113c, and two side walls 113a, 113b. The drawer 110 is open on the front to allow the exit of the ramp 2 in normal operation.

The drawer 110 is slidably mounted on the frame 10 by means of a system of telescopic rails 114 fixed in the side walls 113a, 113b of the drawer 110 and the corresponding side walls. 13a, 13b of the chassis 10. The drawer 110 is associated with a removable locking means (not visible) accessible through the front face of the device 1 and allowing it to be locked in position when it is inside the chassis 10.

The entire system for driving and guiding the ramp 2, which will be described below, is mounted on the slide 110.

In the absence of a drawer 110, the elements mounted in the bottom walls 112, rear 113c and lateral 113a, 113b of the drawer will be mounted directly in the corresponding bottom walls 12, rear 13c and side walls 13a, 13b of the frame 10.

The deployment of the ramp 2 can be done manually, for example by means of handles, or, as in the embodiment shown, by a motor 17.

More specifically, the motor 17 is fixed on a drive carriage 171 connected to the ramp 2, and drives a toothed wheel (not visible) cooperating in engagement with a rack 18 fixed in the bottom wall 112 of the slide 110.

The drive carriage 171 is guided in translation along two longitudinal rails 171a, 171b, longitudinal and parallel, cooperating with corresponding bearings (not visible) installed under the drive carriage 171. The bottom rails 171a, 171b are fixed in the bottom wall 112 of the drawer 110, for example by means of screws.

The bottom rails 171a, 171b may also serve to support the ramp 2 when it is at least partially retracted inside the frame 10.

The drive carriage 171 is mechanically connected to the ramp 2 by means of a set of tubular connecting rods 172 having ends rotated at the front with the ramp and at the rear with the drive carriage 171.

Each connecting rod 172 has a hollow body made from welded sheet parts. The rod 172 has in particular a bottom wall 172a, extended upstream by an extension 172c extending substantially to the upper end 22 of the ramp, and the utility will be described later.

In this case, each half-ramp is associated with two rods 172 having two ends each carrying the male part of two ball joints 173. The female part of the ball joints 173 is fixed to the half-ramp disposed opposite or to the drive carriage according to the ball 173 in question.

The rods 172 rotated allow to confer degrees of freedom to the ramp, in terms of play and movement, while ensuring the translation of said ramp 2. Alternatively, rotating rings play can be used.

As an example, a travel of approximately plus or minus 25mm is provided.

In addition, the connecting rods 172 are advantageously adjustable in length (telescopic rods for example) so as to allow adjustment with respect to the installation environment and to take account of manufacturing tolerances.

The extractable ramp 2 is mounted movably inside the frame 10 along corresponding longitudinal longitudinal rails 15 at least partially guiding its deployment and its storage inside the frame 10. The lateral rails 15 also contribute to the support of said ramp 2.

The guide rails 15 of the ramp 2 are fixed in the side walls 113a, 113b of the slide 110. Each rail extends over a major part of the length of the slide 110 and has a profile cooperating with lateral bearings (not visible) of the ramp 2. Each rail 15 may in particular have a profile in C (shown case), L or U, for example.

Each rail 15 has an open front end for releasing the ramp of the rail 15. Each rail 15 also has a rear end which may advantageously be closed and thus constitute a stop at the end of the storage stroke.

The Figures 4a , 4b , and the figures 5a , 5b corresponding show an initial phase of deployment of the ramp 2. The ramp 2 is deployed substantially rectilinear manner. The lower end 21 of the ramp 2 slides or rolls on the lower ground 3 while the upper end 21 translates along the guide rails 15 substantially halfway up the chassis 10.

At the end of the deployment stroke, the upper end 22 of the ramp 2 is raised so that it arrives as close as possible to the upper soil surface 4.

This phase is illustrated on the Figures 4c to 4f and on Figures 5c to 5f corresponding.

To raise said upper end 22 of the ramp 2, the latter is released from the side rails 15. A system of levers is activated on a deployment limit portion.

In this case, the device 1 shown uses two mechanisms of complementary levers levers. Each mechanism may, however, possibly be implemented independently.

A first lever mechanism comprises a foot 24, pivotally mounted on the ramp 2, close to the upper end 22, between an inactive folded position and an extended position in which said foot is held in abutment against the lower ground 3.

The foot 24, bearing against the lower ground 3 before its end ( figures 4th, 5th ), then constitutes a lever causing the elevation of the opposite end of said foot 24, and consequently of the upper end 22, of the ramp 2.

The foot 24 is deployed and held in abutment by a retaining link 40 held in the frame 10 and able to be locked in translation in said frame 10 by one of its ends. The foot 24 is also mounted against an elastic return means, for example a spring 41, in particular spiral, tending to return to the folded position. Here, the spring 41 works in tension.

The spring 41 is attached by a first end to the foot 24 and a second end opposite the ramp 2.

More specifically, the spring 41 is attached to the foot 24 at one end of said foot 41 opposite the point of pivoting of said foot 24 on the ramp 2.

The second end of the spring 41 is attached to the ramp 2 downstream of the pivot point of the foot 24 on the ramp 2, towards the lower end 21 of said ramp 2.

The retaining link 40 is in the form of an arm having a first end pivotally attached to the foot 24, away from its pivot point on the ramp 2, and having a second end moving on the bottom 112 of the drawer 110 of the frame 10. The second end is equipped with a wheel 44.

The retaining function is implemented by a stop 43 disposed at the front of said frame 10.

The abutment 43 comprises a sheet rim. The abutment 43 is mounted on the bottom wall 112 of the drawer 110. The abutment 43 ensures the translation locking of the retaining link 40 and consequently allows the deployment of the foot 24 and its support against the lower ground on the Extraction limit portion.

The operation of the first lever mechanism is as follows.

During a first phase of extraction of the ramp 2 ( Figures 4a , 4b , 4c and figures 5a , 5b , 5c ), in a substantially horizontal direction, the foot 24 remains held folded against a lower surface of the ramp 2 by its spring 41. The retaining link 40 is pulled by the movement of the ramp 2 and moves along the bottom 112 until its second end meets the stop 43 ( Figure 4d, Figure 5d ). The upper end 22 of the ramp is extracted substantially at height of the guide rail 15 as initially.

At the end of this first extraction phase, the retaining link 40 of the foot 24 is thus blocked in abutment and can no longer follow the ramp 2 further. Any subsequent extraction movement of the ramp 2 (manual or by the motor 17) then causes the foot 24 to pivot ( Figures 4d, 5d ). The foot 24 then comes into contact with the lower ground 3 ( figures 4th, 5th ).

By continuing the extraction movement, the foot 24 bears against the lower ground 3 and forces the raising of the upper end 22 of the ramp 2.

The end 22 of the ramp 2 is raised until the foot 24 is substantially perpendicular to the lower ground 3 ( Figures 4f, 5f ) and the ramp 2, which constitutes the final position of said foot 24. A stop (not visible) ensures the stop of the pivoting of the foot 24. The extraction is stopped concomitantly, for example by a corresponding stop means (Electronic stop of the motor 17 by determining the distance traveled, for example using a tour or resolver account).

The bearing amplitude of the upper end 22 depends in particular on the length of the foot 24 and its point of articulation (pivoting) to the ramp 2. Advantageously, the length of the foot 24 is adjustable. Such a setting will also allow to take into account the devers and irregularities of the lower ground 3 if necessary.

In order to limit the friction of the foot 24 against the lower ground 3 during its deployment, said foot 24 may be equipped with a sliding shoe, or even a terminal wheel.

The ramp 2 may comprise a plurality of feet 24 distributed over the width of said ramp. Each half-ramp 2a, 2b is here equipped with two lateral feet 24.

The implementation of feet 24 taking support on the ground makes it possible to ensure a solid support of the ramp 2 once deployed. In addition, at the end of deployment, the foot 24 is in a substantially vertical position for optimal support of the ramp 2 and the vehicle to take it.

Advantageously, the axis of pivoting of the foot 24 coincides with a point of attachment of the connecting rod 172 to the upper end 22 of the ramp 2. Such a configuration makes it possible to further improve the recovery and transmission of the forces, the stability of the ramp and the lightening of the structure.

When storing ramp 2, this mechanism follows the following inverse steps. The return of the ramp 2 towards the interior of the chassis 10 causes the foot 24 to return to its folded position under the action of the spring 41. The retaining link 40 is held against its abutment 43 until the foot 24 reaches its inactive folded position and then the retaining link 40 follows the ramp 2 towards the rear of the frame 10.

The folding of the foot 24 also allows the lowering, by gravity, of the upper end 22 of the ramp 2. The ramp 2 is reengaged in the support and guide rails 15 and brought back (manually or by the motor 17) to the inside the chassis 10.

According to an alternative embodiment, the retaining link is made in the form of a strap or rope fixed in a wall of the frame 10, in particular the rear wall 113c of the drawer 110. In order to avoid a free release of the link retaining inside the chassis 10, said retaining link may be associated with a winder ensuring its automatic winding as the relaxation of the restraint link.

A second lift lever mechanism is achieved by the inclined rod 172. Indeed, the connecting rod 172 has a first end, high, linked to the ramp 2 and a second end, low, mechanically linked to the carriage 171 and maintained at a height less than the height of the first end.

More particularly, the second end of the inclined rod 172 is kept substantially fixed in elevation relative to the chassis 10.

The inclined connecting rod 172 is intended to come, on the end of extraction stroke portion, bearing against a return piece mounted in the frame 10 and causing the raising of the first end of said inclined rod, and consequently , from the upper end 22 of the ramp.

The support of the connecting rod 172 against the return piece is effected by means of a contact surface formed by the bottom wall 172a and the extension 172c of said connecting rod 172.

More specifically, the inclined rod 172 constitutes a lever when it bears against a wheel 19 fixed in the frame 10 near the front extraction face of the ramp 2.

In this way, the connecting rod 172 has a dual function, namely a drive function of the ramp 2 and a function of raising the ramp on the end-of-travel portion considered.

If necessary, before activating the lever, the wheel 19 can serve to facilitate the extraction of the ramp 2. Said wheel 19 also has a dual function, namely a support function of the ramp 2 during a first portion of extraction of the ramp and a lift lever function on the end portion considered.

The operation of this system is as follows.

During a first phase of extraction of the ramp 2 ( Figures 4a - 4b and figures 5a , 5b ), in a substantially horizontal direction, the drive carriage 171 and the connecting rod 172 follow a substantially straight path parallel to the extraction path of the ramp 2.

At the end of the first extraction phase, the connecting rod 172 comes into contact with the wheel 19 ( Figures 4c, 5c who then plays the part of reference. The contact of the connecting rod 172 with the wheel 19 is effected first through the extension 172c and then through the bottom wall 172a.

The end of the rod 172 connected to the drive carriage 171 being fixed in elevation relative to the frame 10, any subsequent extraction movement (manual or by the motor 17) forces the connecting rod 172 against the wheel 19 and causes the increase of its inclination ( Figures 4d , 4th , 4f and 5d , 5th , 5f ). This results in a relative elevation of its opposite end, and consequently in the upper end 22 of the ramp 2.

The amplitude of the elevation is determined by the total length of the connecting rod 172 and its maximum inclination.

Once the desired height is reached, the ramp is locked in position (engine 17 stopped and blocked, blocking by the foot 24 of the first mechanism if necessary).

When storing ramp 2, this second mechanism follows the following inverse steps.

The return of the ramp 2 towards the inside of the frame 10 causes a recoil of the rod 172 which is no longer forced horizontally against the wheel 19, but only vertically by gravity.

Under the effect of the weight of the ramp 2, the inclination of the connecting rod 172 decreases and the second end 22 of the ramp 2 is lowered. The ramp 2 is reengaged in its guide rails 15 and brought back (manually or by the motor 17) to the inside of the chassis 10.

By associating with the ramp 2, this or these lever mechanisms activated at the end of the extraction stroke by said ramp 2, a movement of extraction of the ramp, initially essentially horizontal, is transformed into a movement having a vertical component for raising the upper end of said ramp 2.

The different lever mechanisms can be designed to be activated simultaneously, that is to say on a substantially identical end-of-travel portion. Alternatively, the main lever mechanism can be activated before the secondary lever mechanism or vice versa. Advantageously, the secondary lever mechanism initiates the raising of the ramp.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the main lever mechanism (foot 24) is activated ( figures 4th, 5th ) after the secondary lever mechanism (connecting rod 172) ( Figures 4c, 5c ).

Ramp 2 then has a first phase of neutral extraction ( Figures 4a , 4b , 5a , 5b ), a priming phase of elevation ( Figures 4c , 4d , 5c , 5d ) in which only the secondary lever mechanism is active, and a fully elevated phase ( figures 4e , 4f , 5th , 5f ) in which the main lever mechanism is also active.

A single drive movement then makes it possible both to extract the ramp 2 substantially horizontally and to raise the upper end 22 of the ramp 2. In the case of a motorized drive, this advantageously allows the use of a single engine 17 for these two phases of extraction and storage. In the case of a manual drive, this advantageously allows the exercise of a single continuous force of traction or thrust without the operator having to change grip.

The upper end 22 of the ramp 2 is thus raised relative to its normal extraction height (substantially the height of the guide rails 15 in this case) up to, if necessary, exceed the upper limit of the frame 10 and level with the floor or upper floor 4, or at least approaching it to minimize the jump.

Moreover, during its extraction, the ramp 2 pushes the flap 14 which pivots about its axis and comes substantially in the continuity of the running surface of the ramp. The flap 14 thus makes it possible to fill the residual space remaining between the ramp 2 and the upper floor 4.

Claims (14)

1. A device (1) for assisting a wheeled vehicle to negotiate an obstacle, in particular for a person with reduced mobility, comprising a stationary chassis (10) and at least one ramp (2) which can be deployed in accordance with an extraction path between a retracted position inside the chassis and a deployed position outside the chassis, the ramp having a lower end (21) which is intended to move into abutment against a floor (3) and an opposing upper end (22), the upper end being mechanically connected to at least one lifting lever for the ramp, characterized in that said lifting lever can be activated by the movement of the ramp, bringing about a lifting of the upper end of the ramp over an extraction path end portion, said lifting lever being produced in the form of at least one foot (24) which is pivotably mounted on the ramp between an inactive folded position, and a final position in which the foot at least partially supports the weight of the upper end of the ramp, the foot being a lifting member over a path portion adjacent to the final position and is held in abutment against the floor.
2. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one retention connection (40) which is capable of being blocked relative to the chassis (10) by one end and to the foot (24) by an opposite end which is located remote from the pivoting location of the foot, the retention connection ensuring that the foot is deployed and is held in abutment against the floor (3) over the extraction path end portion.
3. The device (1) as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the foot (24) is pivotably mounted counter to at least one resilient return member (41) which tends to return it to the folded position.
4. The device (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one secondary lifting lever which is in the form of at least one inclined connection rod (172) which comprises a first end which is mechanically connected to the upper end (22) of the ramp (2) and a second end which is guided inside the chassis (10) and which is kept at a height which is less than the height of the first end, the connection rod moving, over an extraction path end portion, into abutment with a return component which is mounted in the chassis and which brings about a lifting action of the first end of the connection rod and, consequently, the upper end of the ramp.
5. The device (1) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the return component is a runner which has an inclined contact surface.
6. The device (1) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the return component is a wheel (19).
7. The device (1) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the ramp (2) has an extraction path portion which precedes the path end portion which ensures the lifting action and in which the ramp is capable of resting on the wheel (19).
8. The device (1) as claimed in one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the first end of the connection rod (172) is pivotably connected to the ramp (2) and in that the second end of the connection rod is pivotably connected to a guiding element.
9. The device (1) as claimed in one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the first end of the connection rod (172) is connected to the ramp (2) by means of a double ball joint, and in that the second end of the connection rod is connected to a guiding element by means of a double ball joint.
10. The device (1) as claimed in one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the connection of the connection rod (172) to the ramp (2) substantially coincides with an articulation axis for pivoting the lifting foot (24).
11. The device (1) as claimed in one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the secondary lifting lever is activated before the foot (24) which forms the lifting lever.
12. The device (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one handle which is intended to enable manual driving of the ramp (2).
13. The device (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one drive motor (17) which is mounted on at least one drive carriage (171) which is connected to a connection rod (172) of the ramp (2) and is associated with a rack (18) in the chassis (10).
14. The device (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a retention drawer member (110) which supports at least the guide rails (15) of the ramp (2).

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