GB2150526A

GB2150526A - Ramp

Info

Publication number: GB2150526A
Application number: GB08427982A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ralph Wilson Sparrow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-11-29
Filing date: 1984-11-05
Publication date: 1985-07-03
Also published as: GB8427982D0; GB2150526B; GB8331866D0

Abstract

A deployable ramp (16) for manoeuvring wheelchairs and other items over a step or steps at an entrance, for example of a vehicle or a building, is deployable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position the ramp is vertical on a horizontal axis (15) which itself is pivotable at 19 about a vertical axis fixed at one side of the entrance so that the vertical ramp can be swung away out of the entrance. The ramp is folded in the middle about a further horizontal axis (17) to get a double length, and is propped (17c) in the middle when deployed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ramp This invention relates to ramps, especially to ramps for manoeuvring wheelchairs over a step or steps at an entrance, which may for example be a vehicle entrance.

Such ramps for vehicles are known, adapted to be stowed on the vehicle and to be deployed as required. Because of the stowage requirement, especially in the case of a small van or so - called "Minibus" with about a dozen seats, the ramp dimensions are limited; Even from a relatively low door sill, the ramp is on that account quite steeply inclined when deployed, so that manoeuvring a wheel chair be quite difficult. Known ramps are, moreover, not well stowed on vehicles so that they tend to obstruct access when stowed and also usually require considerable modification to a vehicle when being installed.

In general, tail-lifts are preferred, though expensive and heavier.

The present invention, however, provides a ramp, especially designed for vehicle mounting but also useful in static situations, which does not suffer the above-mentioned defiencies of known ramps, and which can handle more wheelchairs in a given time than a tail-lift.

The invention comprises a deployable ramp, especially for manoeuvring wheelchairs over a step or steps at an entrance, of which ramp one end is free and the other end is, for purposes of deployment, fixed on a horizontal pivot axis across the step or steps, the ramp being foldable intermediate its said ends so as to be deployable from a first stowed position in which said free end is close to said fixed end, said ramp in said first stowed position blocking said entrance but being further pivotable, whilst folded, about a second axis at right angles to said horizontal pivot axis so as to unblock said entrance.

The ramp may comprise a frame mountable in an entrance and comprising uprights either side of said entrance one of said uprights forming said second axis and the other of said uprights comprising retaining means holding the folded ramp in its said first stowed position.

The ramp may comprise support means intermediate the ends of the ramp supporting it when deployed, such support means comprising for example a ground-engaging prop or props on a hinge at which the ramp folds. Preferably the prop or props are self-deploying and self levelling.

The ramp may be further adapted for ready installation in and temporary removal from an entrance - this is particularly useful in a vehicular application where, for example, a "Minibus" type of coach is used for social services during the day and for social events during the evening.

Where the ramp is adapted to be disposed at a building entrance, that is to say in a static situation, it may be arranged to stow indoors or out of doors and, in either event, may comprise a recess or cabinet which may be closable and lockable into which the ramp may be stowed when not in use.

The ramp may additionally comprise quick release retaining means for said first stowed position - by which, for example in an emergency, a ramp stowed in said first position and therefore blocking the entrance, may, though normally securely retained be quickly displaced by means of, say, a sudden force such as a kick, in order to clear the entrance for emergency exit.

The ramp may further comprise resilient means, such as gas strut means, arranged to assist stowing of the ramp from its deployed position into the first stowed position and retain it there. Mechanical springs or torsion rod arrangements could be used instead of gas strut means. Powered, for example electro-hydraulic, means could also be provided for deploying and stowing the ramp.

One embodiment of a deployable ramp according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, id which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a ramp arranged at a rear entrance to a "Minibus" type van, in its deployed position, with its first stowed position and a position intermediate said deployed and first stowed positions shown in broken line; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the ramp illustrated in Figure 1 in its first stowed position; Figure 3 is a plan view of the ramp in the position illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a detailed view of a mounting arrangement for the ramp illustrated in Figures 1 to 3; and Figure 5 is a sectional view in the direction of arrow V of Figure 4.

The deployable ramp illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 intended especially for manoeuvring wheelchairs over a step at the rear entrance 11 of a "Minibus" type van 12. One end 13 of the ramp is free and the other end 14 is, for purposes of deployment fixed on a horizontal pivot axis 15 across the step.

By horizontal in this connection is means, of course, nominally horizontal, it being understood that the exact disposition of the axis 15 will depend upon the inclination or camber of a surface or road on which the vehicle 12 finds itself at any instant.

The ramp indicated generally by reference numeral 16, is foldable about a hinge 17 intermediate its ends 13, 14. The hinge 17 comprises bracket means 17a with pivot bearings 17b in which the hinged ends 16a, 16b of the ramp 16 pivot, and a ground engaging strut 17c to provide support for the deployed ramp intermediate its ends 13, 14.

The strut 17c automatically deploys as the ramp 16 is deployed.

Handles 18 are provided on the ramp 16 for use in deployment and stowing thereof.

The arrangement further comprises a pair of uprights 19, 21 forming a frame to which the ramp is secured in its first stowed position illustrated in Figure 2. The uprights 19, 21 are releasably held in upper and lower bearings 22, 23, a telescopic spigot 24 at the upper end of each upright 19, 21, being secured in engaging relationship by a screwed-in key 25. By retracting the spigot 24, the uprights 19, 21 can be lifted out of the lower bearings 23.

The ramp 16, in its first stowed position shown in Figure 2 can be released from upright 21 while still secured to upright 19, and can by reieasing upright 19 from its bearings 22, 23, be removed together with upright 19. Upright 21 can be removed separately.

To permit access with the ramp fitted to the van, but not deployed, it can be released from upright 21 and pivoted on upright 19 as shown in Figure 3.

The horizontal pivot axis 15 (Figures 4 and 5) comprises a sleeve 31 surrounding a rod 32 and pivotable thereon on anti-friction bushes 33. The sleeve 31 is rigid with the ramp 16 at its end 13, and the rod 32 is secured in the lower end of the upright 19. The other end of the rod 32 snaps into a recess 34 at the lower end of the upright 21, where it is ordinarily retained, and secured, if necessary, by a latch 35, particularly when deployed.

In its first stowed position, however, as shown in Figure 2, the ramp can be released from the upright 21 and the rod 32 from the recess 34 so as to pivot the ramp on upright 19 away from upright 21. The latch 35 is so designed as to give way on application of a sudden force such as a kick for emergency opening - or it could be arranged to be automatically lifted so as to free the rod 32 for easy removal from the recess 33 whenever the ramp 16 is in its first stowed position.

A gas strut 41 is connected between upright 19 and a bracket 42 on the ramp 16 so as to control the deployment of the ramp and assist in the final stage of folding it into its first stowed position.

Where the ramp is used on fixed steps the upright 19 or the uprights 21 might depend below the pivot axis 15 to form feet standing on the first step down, and the strut 41 may instead be connected between a foot and the ramp. The ramp 16 preferably has a non-slip surface.

The arrangement illustrated can readily be modified or adapted for use in other situations, for example, at an entrance to domestic, shop, office or factory premises. The ramp can be stowed, when not in use, in its folded position to the side of the entrance by pivoting on its upright If stowed externally, a wall-mounted stowage recess or cabinet can be provided which may be lockable to conceal or protect the ramp.

The ramp described has been designed with particular reference to wheelchairs. However, it is also finding application in light transport vehicles generally as an alternative to a taii lift for loading equipment which can be wheeled or dragged up the ramp, as well as in hospitals and other buildings for providing ramped access to stepped doorways.

Claims

1. A deployable ramp, especially for manoeuvring wheelchairs or like-sized items over a step or steps at an entrance, of which ramp one end is free and the other end is, for purposes of deployment, fixed on a horizontal pivot axis across the step or steps, the ramp being foldable intermediate its said ends so as to be deployable from a first stowed position in which said free end is close to said fixed end, said ramp in said first stowed position blocking said entrance but being further pivotable, whilst folded about a second axis at right angles to said horizontal pivot axis so as to unblock said entrance.

2. A ramp according to claim 1, comprising a frame mountable in an entrance and comprising uprights either side of said entrance one of said uprights forming said second axis and the other of said uprights comprising retaining means holding the folded ramp in its said first stowed position.

3. A ramp according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising support means intermediate the ends of the ramp.

4. A ramp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, adapted for ready instaliation in and temporary removal from an entrance.

5. A ramp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, adapted to be disposed in a vehicle entrance.

6. A ramp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, adapted to be disposed at a building entrance and comprising a cabinet to one side of the entrance into which the ramp may be stowed when not in use.

7. A ramp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising quick release retaining means for said first stowed position.

8. A ramp according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising resilient means arranged to assist stowing of the ramp from its deployed position into its first stowed position and to retain it there.

9. A ramp according to claim 8, said resilient means comprising gas strut means.

10. A ramp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.