GB2215301A - Ramp - Google Patents

Abstract

A ramp (10) for loading a vehicle comprises multiple tread members (14) which are pivotally connected together in such a manner that when in use they can be arranged in edge to edge coplanar disposition forming a flat ramp surface. When not in use the ramp (10) can be conveniently folded away by overlapping the tread members (14) into face to face disposition. <IMAGE>

Description

RAMP This invention relates to ramps, and in particular, though not exclusively, to ramps attached to vehicles for use in loading goods, persons or other vehicles into the vehicle concerned.

The invention provides a ramp comprising a plurality of tread members, each pivotally attached to at least one adjacent tread member so as to be pivotal relative thereto between an operative position in which said treads are in a substantially coplanar edge to edge disposition and an inoperative position in which said treads are in a substantially overlapping face to face disposition.

Each of said tread members may comprise a pair of side plates and a plurality of tread bars attached to and extending between said side plates. Said tread bars may be substantially equi-spaced Said ramp may comprise at least one lazy tongs linkage mechanism pivotally attached to said tread members, and preferably said ramp comprises two lazy tongs mechanisms each pivotally connected to those side plates disposed at one side of said ramp. The or each lazy tongs mechanism may comprise a stop link adapted to limit the relative pivotal movement of the links of said lazy tongs mechanism. Said stop link may have a slot therein in which is slidably received a pivot pin of said lazy tongs mechanism. Said stop link may also comprise a hinge link part to which two adjacent side plates are pivotally attached at mutually spaced locations.A link of said lazy tongs mechanism may also be pivotally attached to said hinge link part at a common pivot with one of said side plates. Said stop link may have a tread bar attached thereto and extending therefrom.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the ramp of the invention in situ on a motor vehicle in the operative configuration, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of part of the ramp of Fig. 1 to an enlarged scale in the operative configuration, Fig. 3 is a perspective view similar to Figc 2 with the ramp substantially in the inoperative configuration, and Fig. 4 is an end view of the ramp in situ in a motor vehicle in the inoperative configuration.

Referring now to the figures there is shown a ramp 10 attached to the rear of a vehicle 11. In Figs. 1 and 4 the ramp 10 is shown attached to a tailgate 12 of a pick-up truck vehicle 11, although the ramp 10 could be attached to the rear of a lorry or van, to the side of a lorry or to the side door of a van or bus type of vehicle.

The ramp 10 gives access to a loading floor 13 of the vehicle 11.

The ramp 10 comprises a plurality of tread members 14, each of which comprises a pair of spaced side plates 15 connected by a plurality of tread bars 16. Five such tread bars 16 are shown connecting each pair of side plates 15 in Figs 2 and 3, but any other number of tread bars 16 may be provided if desired The side plates 15 are disposed as inner side plates 15a and outer side plates 15b, and conveniently each tread member 14 is formed with an inner side plate 15a at one side thereof and an outer side plate 15b at the other side thereof so that the lengths of the tread bars 16 are identical for all of the tread members 14, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.Each tread member 14 is pivotally attached to the adjacent tread member or members 14 in edge to edge disposition so as to form a continuous and substantially coplanar structure as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 when the ramp 10 is in the operative position. As is shown more clearly in Fig. 2, which illustrates a part of the left hand side of the ramp of Fig. 1, consecutive junctions between the tread members 14 are as follows, a first'tread member 14 having an inner side plate 15a pivotally attached at junction 17 to the inside of a second tread member 14 having an outer side plate 15b, the second and third tread members 14 each having an outer side plate 15b pivotally attached to a stop link 18, the third link member 14 having an outer side plate 15b pivotally attached at junction 19 to the outside of a fourth tread member 14 and a fifth tread member (not shown in Fig. 2) each having an inner side plate 15a pivotally attached to a stop link 18.This sequence is then repeated to the end of the ramp 10 On the opposite side of the ramp 10 the corresponding disposition of inner and outer side plates 15a,15b is reversed since as stated previously each tread member 14 has an inner side plate 15a at one side thereof and an outer side plate 15b at the other side thereof.

Pivotally attached at junctions 17,19 to the tread members 14 at the outside of the side plates 15a,15b, on each side of the ramp 10 is a lazy tongs mechanism 20. Each lazy tong mechanism 20 comprises inner and outer links 21,22 pivotally secured to each other at their mid points and their upper and lower ends.

Alternate junctions of the upper ends of the inner and outer links 21,22 have their pivot pins 23 slidably engaged in a respective slot 24 provided in each of the stop links 18. At junctions 17,19 the inner and outer links 21,22 and the inner and outer side plates 15a, 15b are pivotally secured to each other by a common pivot pin 25.

To provide that the spacing between all of the tread bars 16 is substantially equal, a further tread bar 16a is provided on each opposed pair of stop links 18, thereby ensuring substantially even loading on the ramp structure as a load is moved up or down the ramp 10.

Each of the tread bars 16 of a tread member 14 is attached, for example by welding, at its end to a support plate 26 which is formed integrally with or is welded to the side plate 15 to extend longitudinally thereof and form an L-shaped structure therewith. In order to allow the side plates 15a, 15b to lie in overlapping disposition along a substantial part of their length when the ramp 10 is in the inoperative position as shown in Fig. 3, the ends of the tread bars 16 are spaced from the adjacent outer side plate 15b by at least the thickness of an inner side plate 15a. Such spacing is not necessary in the case of the ends of the tread bars 16 and the inner side plates 15ac By means of the invention a safe reliable ramp for the loading into vehicles of heavy loads, or wheeled vehicles is provided. The ramp is easily displayed or stored for transit. Preferably the ramp structure is of steel so that a strong and durable ramp is provided.

The ramp is easy to install in a vehicle and takes up little load space when in the stored configuration, as seen in Fig. 4. If desired, the ramp 10 may be attached to the vehicle by means of removable pins so that the ramp may be readily detached from the vehicle when not required.

Claims (12)

1. A ramp comprising a plurality of tread members, each pivotally attached to at least one adjacent tread member so as to be pivotal relative thereto between an operative position in which said treads are in a substantially coplanar edge to edge disposition and an inoperative position in which said treads are in a substantially overlapping face to face disposition.

2. A ramp according to claim 1 wherein each of said tread members comprises a pair of side plates and a plurality of tread bars attached to and extending between said side plates.

3. A ramp according to claim 2 wherein said tread bars are substantially equispaced.

4. A ramp according to any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising at least one lazy tongs linkage mechanism pivotally attached to said tread members.

5. A ramp according to claim 4 comprising two lazy tongs linkage mechanisms, each pivotally connected to those side plates disposed at one side of said ramp.

6. A ramp according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the or each lazy tongs mechanism comprises a stop link adapted to limit the relative pivotal movement of the links of said mechanism.

7. A ramp according to claim 6 wherein said stop link has a slot therein in which is slidably received a pivot pin of said lazy tongs mechanism.

8. A ramp according to claim 7 wherein said stop link further comprises a hinge link part to which two adjacent side plates are pivotally attached at mutually spaced locations.

9. A ramp according to any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein a link of said lazy tongs mechanism is also pivotally attached to said hinge link part at a common pivot with one of said side plates.

10. A ramp according to any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein said stop link has a tread bar attached thereto and extending therefrom.

11. A ramp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

12. A ramp according to any preceding claim when in use in combination with a vehicle.