GB2204011A

GB2204011A - An inclined ramp

Info

Publication number: GB2204011A
Application number: GB08806959A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kurt Alten
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-03-31
Filing date: 1988-03-23
Publication date: 1988-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2008-03-23
Also published as: GB2204011B; DE8704789U1; GB8806959D0

Abstract

A transportable inclined ramp comprising a ramp main body portion (3) with longitudinally extending support members (7) disposed on each lateral side of the body portion, the support members being interconnected by a plurality of transversely extending support members (9) forming, in use, the vehicular surface (9') of the ramp, the ramp body portion (3) being provided, at one of its ends with a profiled reinforcement member upon which a wedge-shaped approach portion (5) is pivotably, mounted. The reinforcement comprises an angle member (10) which extends substantially over the entire width of the ramp, one arm (11) of the angle member (10) extending in the longitudinal direction of the ramp and forming a support beneath the two longitudinally extending support members (7) whilst the other arm (12) includes a mounting for a hinge assembly (4) for the wedge-shaped approach portion (5). The body portion (3) may be mounted on an undercarriage (2) and have an extension (6), at the opposite end to approach portion (5) which rests on a platform (1) onto which goods are to be loaded or unloaded. <IMAGE>

Description

AN INCLINED RAMP The present invention relates to an inclined ramp.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an inclined ramp of the type which comprises a ramp main body portion and longitudinally extending support members disposed on each lateral side of the body portion. The support members are interconnected by a plurality of transversely extending support members forming, in use, the vehicular surface of the ramp. The ramp body portion is provided, at one of its ends with a profiled reinforcement member upon which a wedgeshaped approach portion is pivotally mounted. In addition to providing a pivot for the approach portion, the reinforcement member must give the ramp its required rigidity and loading capacity at its lower end.

The present invention seeks to provide a ramp which satisfies these criteria.

According to the present invention, there is provided a transportable inclined ramp comprising a ramp main body portion and longitudinally extending support members disposed on each lateral side of the body portion, the support members being interconnected by a plurality of transversely extending support members forming, in use, the vehicular surface of the ramp, the ramp body portion being provided, at one of its ends with a profiled reinforcement member upon which a wedge-shaped approach portion is pivotably mounted, wherein the reinforcement comprises an angle member which extends substantially over the entire width of the ramp, one arm of the angle member extending in the longitudinal direction of the ramp and forming a support beneath the two longitudinally extending support members, whilst the other arm includes a mounting for a hinge assembly for the wedge-shaped approach portion.

By utilising a comparatively simple steel profile, a sufficiently firm, yet simple, end reinforcement member is attained which serves not only as a mounting for the hinge, but acts as a securement for the lower end of the ramp and improves the interconnection of the two longitudinal support members.

Preferably, the arms of the angle member are of dissimilar lengths, the longer arm extending in the longitudinal direction of the ramp.

Desirably, the longer arm is longer than the width of the transversely extending support members.

One embodiment of the present invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of aninclined ramp assembly in accordance with the present invention and which is provided with an undercarriage.

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1 and showing one edge of the ramp assembly; and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of one end region of the ramp assembly shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1, there is shown a platform 1 onto which goods are to be loaded or from which goods are to be unloaded. To permit such loading or unloading to be effected, a ramp assembly is provided. The ramp assembly comprises a main ramp body portion 3. On the underside of the body portion 3, substantially in the central region thereof, an undercarriage arrangement 2 is provided to permit the assembly to be transported. On one end of the body portion 3, a wedgeshaped approach portion 5 is pivotally mounted about a transverse axis by means of hinge 4. The portion 5 is pivotable from its operative position shown in Fig. 1 into a rest position in which it is steeply inclined relative to the body portion 3. On the other end of the body portion 3, a substantially horizontal extension portion 6 which rests on the platform 1 is fixedly mounted.

On each of the lateral edges of the ramp body 3, a box-like longitudinal support member 7, is provided, the base of each member 7 being provided with an extension portion 8 extending towards the interior of the ramp.

The extension portion 8 serves to support substantially inverted U-shaped transverse support members 9, the upper web or crosspiece of which forms the vehicular surface 9' of the ramp. The ends of the transverse support members 9 are fixedly connected to the longitudinal support members 7 by means of, for example, screws or bolts. These transverse support members 9 form the sole transverse connection between the longitudinal support members 7 - apart from the end reinforcements.

An angle member 10 is provided for the securement, reinforcement and pivotal movement of the wedge-shaped approach portion 5. The lower arm 11 of the angle member 10 extends in the longitudinal direction of the ramp and is disposed beneath the two longitudinal support members 7 so as to support them. The connection between the arm 11 and the longitudinal support members 7, or the extension portions 8, may be established by means of, for example, screws or bolts. Two of the transverse support members 9 are disposed above the arm 11 and additional members may, of course, be connected to these members 9.

The hinge assembly 4 is welded to the upper wend of the other, upwardly extending. arm 12, of the angle member in such a manner that, when the wedge-shaped approach portion 5 is in its operative position, a stepless transition between the portion 5 and the vehicular surface 9' is produced.

From Fig. 3 it will also be apparent that the external corner 13 of the angle-iron 10 forms a lower support edge for the ramp. Advantageously, the outer surface of the arm 12 may be provided with a pivotal mounting for a pole or shaft which is used for moving the ramp into a desired position.

Claims

1. A transportable inclined ramp comprising a ramp main body portion and longitudinally extending support members disposed on each lateral side of the body portion, the support members being interconnected by a plurality of transversely extending support members forming, in use, the vehicular surface of the ramp, the ramp body portion being provided, at one of its ends with a profiled reinforcement member upon which a wedge-shaped approach portion is pivotably mounted, wherein the reinforcement comprises an angle member which extends substantially over the entire width of the ramp, one arm of the angle member extending in the longitudinal direction of the ramp and forming a support beneath the two longitudinally extending support members whilst the other arm includes a mounting for a hinge assembly for the wedge-shaped approach portion.

2. An inclined ramp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge is mounted on the upper end of the second arm of the angle member.

3. An inclined ramp as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the arms of the angle member are of dissimilar lengths, the longer arm extending in the longitudinal direction of the ramp.

4. An inclined ramp as claimed in claim 3, wherein the longer arm is longer than the width of one of the transversely extending support members.

5. An inclined ramp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the exterior angle of the angle member forms, in use, support surface for the ramp on the ground.

6. An inclined ramp as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the longitudinally extending support members each include inwardly directed extension portions, the extension portions being disposed on the first arm of the angle member, the longitudinally extending supported members being connected to the first~arm of the angle member by means of screws or bolts.

7. An inclined ramp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the length of the second arm of the angle member corresponds substantially to the height of the transversely extending support members which connect the two longitudinally extending support members, the upper surfaces of the transversely extending support members forming, in use, the vehicular surface of the ramp.

8. An inclined ramp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second of the angle member includes a mounting for a pole or shaft for transportation of the ramp.

9. An inclined ramp as claimed in claim 1 constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.