GB2217291A - Automobile ramps - Google Patents

Abstract

A car ramp includes an inclined portion (7) leading to a wheel support portion (5) and means such as a swivel plate (27) pivotally mounted on the frame at the uppermost end of the inclined portion (7) to prevent the inadvertent return of the vehicle wheel from the wheel support portion (5) to the inclined portion (7). Alternatively the support portion may comprise curved supports (40, 41 figure 4 not shown) below the level (42) of the top of the inclined portion. The inclined portion is preferably formed from two portions (7a, 7b) of different inclination, to allow vehicles with front valances or spoilers to use the ramp. A jack may be mounted alongside the support portion. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO AUTOMOBILE RAMPS.

The present invention relates to an automobile ramp.

Two ramps are in general use for elevating the front or rear wheels of a vehicle to assist access to the under-side of the vehicle for servicing and the like. There is a requirement for a safer ramp which is capable of preventing a vehicle from inadvertently rolling off a ramp.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle ramp comprising a frame defining a base portion, a wheel support portion spaced from the base portion, an inclined portion leading to the wheel support portion and a restraining member for extending above the level of the wheel support portion in the region of the apex of the inclined portion so as to obstruct the passage of the wheel from the wheel support portion to the inclined portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention the wheel support portion comprises a plurality of support members extending below the level of the restraining member. As such, the restrainng member preferably comprises the apex of the inclined portion.

Advantageously, the support members form a trough having end and side walls, and into which a vehicle wheel may be readily disposed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the restraining member comprises a swivel plate pivotally located with respect to the frame, which plate is arranged to pivot against a restoring force in a direction to allow a wheel to pass between the inclined portion and the wheel support portion, which restoring force returns the plate to a rest position in which the plate acts as an obstruction which prevents the wheel returning to the inclined portion from the wheel support portion.

Preferably, when the swivel plate is in its rest position it may abut against the frame so as to provide a firm obstruction to the passage of the wheel returning to the inclined position from the wheel support section.

The restoring force may advantageously be generated by arranging for the pivot axis of the swivel plate to be offset from the mass centre of the plate such that the influence of gravity moves the plate into its rest position. Alternatively, the swivel plate may be moved into its rest position by the action of a biassing means, such as one or more springs.

When it is required to remove the vehicle from the ramp the swivel plate is moved from its rest position into a lowered position to enable the wheel to move without obstruction from the wheel support portion to the inclined portion. Retaining means is provided to hold the swivel plate in this lowered position. It is preferred that the swivel plate return to its rest position automatically after the wheel has passed from the wheel support portion to the inclined portion such that when the ramp is next used the plate acts to obstruct accidental movement of the wheel from the wheel support portion to the inclined portion.

Conveniently this is achieved by securing a pivotable linkage, preferably a number of chain links, to the swivel plate, the end of which is co-operable with a pin projecting from the frame. In one embodiment the pin is approximately 12.5 mm long and projects vertically downwardly from the frame and by pivoting the swivel plate towards its lowered position the chain link can be positioned on the pin. The restoring force holds the chain on the pin with the plate slightly raised from its fully lowered position, but not sufficiently raised to prevent the wheel from moving from the wheel support portion to the inclined portion and off the ramp.As the wheel rolls onto the swivel plate the plate is depressed to its lowered position (approximately 12.5 mm movement) which causes the chain link to separate from the pin, thus when the wheel no longer acts on the plate the restoring force returns it to its resting position ready for use. The construction provides a safer car ramp by virtue of the swivel plate, whilst the retaining means and automatic resetting makes the ramp convenient to use.

Preferably, the vehicle ramp comprises a lateral frame portion having a jack associated therewith, and for acting on a vehicle disposed on said ramp. The lateral frame portion may be provided integral with the vehicle ramp or may be secured thereto. In any case the lateral frame portion is included so as to extend under the vehicle disposed on the ramp.

Preferably, the jack may be releasably secured within the lateral frame portion so as to facilitate its movement to a suitable location under the vehicle.

As such the jack may advantageously be located within a carriage which is readily secured to and moved within the lateral frame. The carriage may also provide vertical support to the jack so as to increase the maximum height, from the ground, to which the jack head may extend.

A further preferred feature of the ramp in accordance with the present invention is a safety flange provided on the end and opposite sides of the wheel support portion which in the case of the end flange prevents overrun, and in the case of the side flanges serves to aid centralisation of the wheel on the ramp and prevent sideways slip off. The flanges are tapered outwardly for added convenience.

Another feature of the ramp is a gripping means carried on the base for preventing slippage of the ramp when the vehicle is being driven onto it. This conveniently comprises a bar having a 900 angle in cross-section, the apex of which is disposed lowermost for co-operation with the surface on which the ramp is to be used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a car ramp comprising a frame defining a base portion, a wheel support portion spaced from the base portion and an inclined portion leading to the wheel support portion, a swivel plate pivotally located with respect to the frame and disposed at or adjacent the apex of the inclined portion, the plate being arranged to pivot against a restoring force in a direction to allow a wheel to pass between the inclined portion and the wheel support portion, which restoring force returns the plate to a rest position in which the plate contacts an abutment on the frame and provides an obstruction which prevents the wheel returning to the inclined portion from the wheel support portion.

Preferably, for each aspect of the present invention the inclined portion comprises two portions of different inclination. This allows vehicles with front valances or spoilers to use the ramp, since the valance or spoiler might otherwise abut the inclined portion. Preferably the angle of inclination to the horizontal of the lower inclined portion is greater than that of the upper portion.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.l is a perspective view of one embodiment of a vehicle ramp according to the present invention; Fig.2 is a fragmentary sectional view of Fig.l; Fig.3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a vehicle ramp according to the present invention; Fig.4 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle ramp of Fig.3, including a lateral frame portion and jack; and Fig.5 is a perspective view of the jack and jack casing of Fig.4.

The ramp comprises a frame generally indicated as 1 which is made up of rolled steel angle (typically 1" x 1" x 1/8", 90 angle) (2.54 cm x 2.54 cm x 0.3 cm, 900 angle) members welded together. The frame defines a base portion 3, a wheel support portion 5 and an inclined portion 7. The base portion has two side members 9 interconnected by spacing members 11. As shown in Fig.l, the inclined portion is formed from a lower portion 7a which is inclined at an angle of 200 to the side members 9, and a contiguous upper portion 7b, which is inclined at an angle of 119 to the side members 9. Four uprights 13 extend from each side member 9 and have welded thereto a respective side member 15 of the wheel support portion 5.An expanded metal grid 17 is secured between the side members 15 and forms the support platform for the wheel. The inclined portion 7 has side members 19 and an expanded metal grid 21 which define a ramp member connected at a lower end to the side members of the base portion 3 and at the apex of the inclined portion to the wheel support portion 5. A gripping member 23 of 90 angle is secured between the side members 15 adjacent the lowermost end of the inclined portion and is arranged with the corner lowermost to give line contact with the ground on which the ramp is to be used. The side members 15 of the wheel support portion 5 are connected by an end member 25. The uprights 13 slope inwardly toward the side members of the wheel support portion 5 such that the base is wider than the width of the wheel support portion to give added stability to the ramp.

The rear uprights are sloping out from the upper platform to eliminate "over-run" on impact. The upper platform or wheel support portion has an angled apron 26 secured to the side members 15 and the end member 25. The apron is preferably mild steel strip 2" x 1/8" (5.08 cmx 0.3 cm). The apron serves to centralise the wheel and to stop "overshoot" and sideways "slip-off".

At the apex of each inclined portion a swivel plate 27 is provided which is pivotally located with respect to the frame. A steel bar 29 is secured to the plate and passes through the holes in the uprights 13. End caps are provided on each end of the bar. Any other convenient pivoting arrangements may be employed. The bar 29 is secured to the plate 27 in a position offset from the centre of mass of the plate such that under the influence of gravity the plate adapts a rest position which obstructs the passage of a wheel from the wheel support platform to the inclined portion.

The plate has a portion 30, which, in the rest position, abuts with those uprights 13 in which it is pivotably received. For this purpose the lower half of the plate is wider than the upper half projecting above the grids.

A vehicle being driven up the ramp travels up the lower and upper portions 7a, 7b of the ramp 7. The provision of a ramp having portions of different inclinations allows many more vehicles to use the ramp, since a front valence or spoiler might otherwise contact the side members 19, preventing the vehicle from ascending the ramp. A wheel of the vehicle contacts the plate 27 causing it to pivot from its rest position to a lowered position and allowing the wheel to pass to the grid 17 of the upper platform 5, whereupon the plate is free to return to its rest position. The wheel is prevented from returning down the inclined portion since it cannot ride over the plate and any attempt to do so causes the plate to be forced by the wheel against the abutment.

When it is required to remove the vehicle from the ramp the plate has to be displaced from its rest position and held in a lowered position in whch the wheel can move from the upper platform to the inclined portion and off the ramp. For this purpose one or both of the side members 15 carry a pin 31 which projects vertically downwardly from the underside of the frame.

The pin 31 is disposed adjacent the swivel plate and the swivel plate is provided with a linkage 33 in the form of a number of chain links. One end link of the chain is secured to the plate and the other end link is engageable with the pin 31. The plate 27 is moved to a lowered position in which the chain link can be positioned on the pin 31 and by means of which the plate is held in a lowered position which permits the wheel to move from the upper platform, down the inclined portion and off the ramp.

When the plate is held by the chain it is in a slightly raised position and when the wheel contacts the plate, the plate is caused to move into a fully lowered position. In this position the chain link disengages with the pin so that once the wheel has passed over the plate, the plate returns to its rest position.

Conveniently, the swivel plate is made from 4 mm steel plate and the swivel pin from 12 mm steel bar.

The construction of the frame is such that the members are in compression and the welds serve merely to connect the parts without taking any of the load.

Fig.3 shows a further embodiment of the vehicle ramp 2 of the present invention without illustrating the metal grid. The ramp is not shown as comprising two portions of different inclinations, but it should be appreciated that this feature can be incorporated into this embodiment. The embodiment of Fig.3 is constructed from similar steel members as the embodiment of Fig.l, and the overall dimensions of the two embodiments are similar. However, the embodiment of Fig.3 does not include a swivel plate and has a plurality of laterally extending support members 40 forming the wheel support portion. Each of the support members 40 is curved so as to extend below the level of the apex 42 of the inclined portion of the ramp formed by angled members 44.A pair of longitudinally disposed support members 41 are connected between the ends of the wheel support section and the lateral support members 40 located adjacent those ends. The curvature of the support members 40,41 forms a trough into which a vehicle wheel may readily be located and from which the wheel will not readily roll out. The ramp includes a plurality of vertical support members 48 connected between the base portion and the support members 40,41 so as to enhance the strength of the ramp. The depth of the trough forming the curved support members 40,41 is typically 38 mm.

Fig.4 is an exploded view of the ramp 2 of Fig.3, illustrated with a metal grid and shown with a lateral frame portion having a jack associated therewith. The ramp is not shown as comprising two portions of different inclinations, but it should be appreciated that this feature can be incorporated into this embodiment.

A lateral frame portion 58 is formed from similar members as the ramp of Figs. 1 and 3 and houses a vertically disposed oblong jack box 60 formed of plate steel. The lateral frame portion 58 is bolted to the side of the frame of the ramp 2 so as to extend under a vehicle located on the ramp. The jack box 60 houses a jack 62 and is movably located into any desired location on one of two longitudinally, laterally extending tracks 63,64 respectively formed in the base of the frame 58. As such, the box 60 and the jack 62 located therein may be moved into a suitable location under the vehicle so that the jack head 71 (Fig.5) may contact and lift the vehicle.

Fig.5 illustrates the box 60 and its associated jack 62. The box 60 has an opening 68 in the side thereof so as to allow access to the jack in order to operate the jack head 71. On operation the jack head 71 may pass through an aperture 70 in the top of the box and thus contact a vehicle disposed on the ramp.

The box also comprises internal support webs 66 which support the jack 62 above the level on which the ramp is located, and thus increases the maximum height to which the jack head 71 may extend. The typical dimensions of the box 60 are 285 mm x 162 mm x 162 mm.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. For example, the lateral frame and associated jack may equally be included in the embodiment of the ramp of Fig.l, the wheel support portion of which may also be formed as a trough as in the embodiment of Fig.3.

Claims (25)

1. A vehicle ramp comprising a frame defining a base portion, a wheel support portion spaced from the base portion, an inclined portion leading to the wheel support portion and a restraining member for extending above the level of the wheel support portion in the region of the apex of the inclined portion so as to obstruct the passage of the wheel from the wheel support portion to the inclined portion.

2. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restraining member comprises a swivel plate pivotally located with respect to the frame, the plate being adapted to pivot against a restoring force in a direction to allow wheel to pass between the inclined portion and the wheel support portion, the restoring force tending to return the plate to a rest position in which the plate acts as an obstruction which prevents the wheel returning to the inclined portion from the wheel support portion.

3. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 2, wherein when the swivel plate is in its rest position it abuts against the frame.

4. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the restoring force is provided by arranging for the pivot axis of the swivel plate to be offset from the centre of mass of the plate.

5. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the swivel plate is urged into its rest position by biasing means.

6. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 5, wherein the biasing means comprises a spring.

7. A vehicle ramp as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, further comprising retaining means to hold the swivel plate in a position other than its rest position.

8. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 7, wherein the retaining means comprises a pivotable linkage attached to the swivel plate and attachable to a projection on the frame of the vehicle ramp.

9. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pivotable linkage comprises a plurality of chain links.

10. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the projection extends vertically downwards from the frame.

11. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel support portion comprises a plurality of support members extending below the level of the restraining member.

12. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 11, wherein the support members are in the form of a trough having end and side walls.

13. A vehicle ramp as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a lateral frame portion provided with a jack.

14. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 13, wherein the lateral frame portion is integrally formed with the vehicle ramp.

15. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 13, wherein the lateral frame portion is releasably securable thereto.

16. A vehicle jack as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the position of the jack may be varied, and the jack may be releasably secured, within the lateral frame portion.

17. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 16, wherein the jack is located within a carriage which is readily secured to, and movable within, the lateral frame.

18. A vehicle ramp as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a safety flange located on opposite sides of the wheel support portion and on the end of the wheel support portion remote from the inclined portion.

19. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 18, wherein the flanges are tapered outwardly.

20. A vehicle ramp as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a gripping means located on the base of the frame.

21. A vehicle ramp as claimed in claim 20, wherein the gripping means comprises an angle member whose apex is disposed for co-operation with the surface on which the ramp is to be used.

22. A car ramp comprising a frame defining a base portion, a wheel support portion spaced from the base portion and an inclined portion leading to the wheel support portion, a swivel plate pivotally located with respect to the frame and disposed at or adjacent the apex of the inclined portion, the plate being arranged to pivot against a restoring force in a direction to allow a wheel to pass between the inclined portion and the wheel support portion, which restoring force returns the plate to a rest position in which the plate contacts an abutment on the frame and provides an obstruction which prevents the wheel returning to the inclined portion from the wheel support portion.

23. A ramp as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the inclined portion comprises two portions of different inclination.

24. A ramp as claimed in claim 23, wherein the angle of inclination to the horizontal of the lower inclined portion is greater than that of the upper inclined portion.

25. A vehicle ramp substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figs. 1 and 2 or Fig. 3, or Figs. 1 and 2 or Fig. 3 as modified by Figs. 4 and 5, of the accompanying drawings.