GB2169871A - Mobile auto ramp - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile auto ramp is provided in the form of a trailer on which vehicles may be mounted for repair but which folds away to form a compact box-like assembly for towing when not otherwise in use. The ramp has an adjustable ramp portion (4) and stabilising means (8, 9) and is provided with a folding cover (10) which can be raised to give protection to a vehicle on the ramp being repaired. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mobile auto ramp This invention relates to a mobile auto ramp.

More particularly it relates to an auto ramp supported on a trailer and on which vehicles may be mounted for repair, but which folds away to form a compact box-like assembly for towing or when not otherwise in use.

According to the present invention, there is provided an auto ramp comprising a wheeled chassis, a ramp portion supported thereon the height and inclination of which relative to the chassis are adjustable, stabilising means whereby in use the auto ramp is substantially prevented from undesirable movement, and a cover adapted, when it is desired to use the ramp portion, to be raised and to give protection to a vehicle on the ramp portion, but when not in use to act as a cover to give protection to the ramp portion, A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I shows a side elevation, simplified and with side cover protection removed, of the auto ramp in the raised position with the cover open.

Figure 2 shows a similar view to that in Fig.

1 with the ramp in the lowered position and the cover open.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the auto ramp in the lowered position and with the cover closed for transit.

In Figs. 1 and 2 a wheeled chassis 1 approximately 4.2m long and 2m wide has mounted thereon a pair of substantially vertical supports 2, approximately 1 m high, strengthened by braces 3. A ramp 4 comprising a pair of elongate plates joined by a cross-member at one end and adapted to receive the wheels of a motor vehicle is pivotally mounted on each side at its front end on bearings 5 on top of raised supports 2 and is supported on each side towards its rear end by hydraulic rams 6 actuated by a powerpack using 1 2v power (not shown). The rams 6 are pivoted to the ramp at 7 and are capable of raising the ramp until it is substantially horizontal.

Attached to the chassis 1 close to the points of support for the support 2 and a rams 6 are stabilising rams 8 and 9 for engagement with the ground and which enable the auto ramp chassis and assembly to be levelled and stabilised on uneven surfaces in order that the weight of a vehicle on the ramp portion may safely be borne. These rams are also hydraulically operated by a small powerpack (not shown).

The surrounding cover is formed of an appropriately robust but lightweight material, e.g.

fibreglass. Complete protection of the ramp portion and operating mechanics is provided, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, by a cover 10 and a pair of side portions 11. The cover 10 has two hingedly connected sections, a front section 12 and rear section 13. The front section is pivoted at 14 to a supporting frame (not shown) and is raised or lowered through actuation of a two-way acting hydraulic ram 15 which is pivotally connected to the cover at 16 and to the chassis at 17. As the ram 15 closes, thus causing front section cover 12 to pivot around the axis at 14, movement of the rear end of the cover section 13 is assisted by gas struts 18 which are pivoted to the cover at 19 and chassis at 20. As the front cover section is opened, the rear section follows, and the cover is supported in a desired position by the gas struts 18.

In operation, the chassis is disconnected from its towing vehicle and the cover 10 opened by means of the ram 15. The ramp 4 is then raised to the desired height by means of rams 6. The assembly is then stabilised relative to the ground using rams 8 and 9. A vehicle it is desired to repair is then driven up onto the ramp 4 via a pair of supplementary detachable ramps or planks (not shown) which when not in use may be stored within the assembly.

The mobile auto ramp may be towed to any locality and is of particular value in enabling the repair or replacement of e.g. exhaust pipes or other awkwardly situated underbody parts of a motor vehicle. For the busy housewife or executive this is frequently highly convenient, avoiding as it does the need to leave and then pick up a vehicle needing such repair from a garage or other distant repair site.

1. An auto ramp comprising a wheeled chassis, a ramp portion supported thereon the height and inclination of which relative to the chassis are adjustable, stabilising means whereby in use the auto ramp is substantially prevented from undesirable movement, and a cover adapted, when it is desired to use the ramp portion, to be raised and to give protection to a vehicle on the ramp portion. but when not in use to act as a cover to give protection to the ramp portion.

2. An auto ramp as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover comprises two hingedly connected sections forming a lid.

3. An auto ramp as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 wherein further protection is provided by side panels which in combination with the cover when lowered provide a box-like assembly for transit.

4. An auto ramp as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the stabilising means comprise hydraulic rams attached to the chassis for engagement with the ground.

5. An auto ramp as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described.

6. An auto ramp substantially as herein de

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Mobile auto ramp This invention relates to a mobile auto ramp. More particularly it relates to an auto ramp supported on a trailer and on which vehicles may be mounted for repair, but which folds away to form a compact box-like assembly for towing or when not otherwise in use. According to the present invention, there is provided an auto ramp comprising a wheeled chassis, a ramp portion supported thereon the height and inclination of which relative to the chassis are adjustable, stabilising means whereby in use the auto ramp is substantially prevented from undesirable movement, and a cover adapted, when it is desired to use the ramp portion, to be raised and to give protection to a vehicle on the ramp portion, but when not in use to act as a cover to give protection to the ramp portion, A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I shows a side elevation, simplified and with side cover protection removed, of the auto ramp in the raised position with the cover open. Figure 2 shows a similar view to that in Fig. 1 with the ramp in the lowered position and the cover open. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the auto ramp in the lowered position and with the cover closed for transit. In Figs. 1 and 2 a wheeled chassis 1 approximately 4.2m long and 2m wide has mounted thereon a pair of substantially vertical supports 2, approximately 1 m high, strengthened by braces 3. A ramp 4 comprising a pair of elongate plates joined by a cross-member at one end and adapted to receive the wheels of a motor vehicle is pivotally mounted on each side at its front end on bearings 5 on top of raised supports 2 and is supported on each side towards its rear end by hydraulic rams 6 actuated by a powerpack using 1 2v power (not shown). The rams 6 are pivoted to the ramp at 7 and are capable of raising the ramp until it is substantially horizontal. Attached to the chassis 1 close to the points of support for the support 2 and a rams 6 are stabilising rams 8 and 9 for engagement with the ground and which enable the auto ramp chassis and assembly to be levelled and stabilised on uneven surfaces in order that the weight of a vehicle on the ramp portion may safely be borne. These rams are also hydraulically operated by a small powerpack (not shown). The surrounding cover is formed of an appropriately robust but lightweight material, e.g. fibreglass. Complete protection of the ramp portion and operating mechanics is provided, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, by a cover 10 and a pair of side portions 11. The cover 10 has two hingedly connected sections, a front section 12 and rear section 13. The front section is pivoted at 14 to a supporting frame (not shown) and is raised or lowered through actuation of a two-way acting hydraulic ram 15 which is pivotally connected to the cover at 16 and to the chassis at 17. As the ram 15 closes, thus causing front section cover 12 to pivot around the axis at 14, movement of the rear end of the cover section 13 is assisted by gas struts 18 which are pivoted to the cover at 19 and chassis at 20. As the front cover section is opened, the rear section follows, and the cover is supported in a desired position by the gas struts 18. In operation, the chassis is disconnected from its towing vehicle and the cover 10 opened by means of the ram 15. The ramp 4 is then raised to the desired height by means of rams 6. The assembly is then stabilised relative to the ground using rams 8 and 9. A vehicle it is desired to repair is then driven up onto the ramp 4 via a pair of supplementary detachable ramps or planks (not shown) which when not in use may be stored within the assembly. The mobile auto ramp may be towed to any locality and is of particular value in enabling the repair or replacement of e.g. exhaust pipes or other awkwardly situated underbody parts of a motor vehicle. For the busy housewife or executive this is frequently highly convenient, avoiding as it does the need to leave and then pick up a vehicle needing such repair from a garage or other distant repair site. CLAIMS

1. An auto ramp comprising a wheeled chassis, a ramp portion supported thereon the height and inclination of which relative to the chassis are adjustable, stabilising means whereby in use the auto ramp is substantially prevented from undesirable movement, and a cover adapted, when it is desired to use the ramp portion, to be raised and to give protection to a vehicle on the ramp portion. but when not in use to act as a cover to give protection to the ramp portion.

2. An auto ramp as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover comprises two hingedly connected sections forming a lid.

3. An auto ramp as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 wherein further protection is provided by side panels which in combination with the cover when lowered provide a box-like assembly for transit.

4. An auto ramp as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the stabilising means comprise hydraulic rams attached to the chassis for engagement with the ground.

5. An auto ramp as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described.

6. An auto ramp substantially as herein de scribed and with reference to the accompanying drawings.